2015 Zhik UK 29er Nationals and Eurocup - Raring to go on Day 4
by www.29er.org.uk on 7 Aug 2015
Fleet in action at Pwllheli Sailing Club - 2015 Zhik UK 29er Nationals and Eurocup Andy Green https://twitter.com/britishracingg
2015 Zhik UK 29er Nationals and Eurocup - The first day of fleet racing dawned pretty much as Monday; average winds of 20 knots gusting to 30 and lumpy seas with three metre waves. This didn't deter the sailors who were raring to go after a day of enforced rest!
In Gold Fleet the New Zealand boys from Murray Bay had an awesome series of wins. James Wilson and Oscar Gunn put in three bullets in the tricky conditions maintaining their lead. Chased by their countrymen Jackson Keon and Nick Egnot Johnson who despite great results slipped to third place. The second place went to Australian boat John Cooley and Simon Hoffman who also took two bullets. First Brit boat was James Grummett and Daniel Budden in sixth place overall.
After the first Gold Fleet race the top three girl boats were all bunched up together. At 33rd Spain's Carla Munto and Marte Munto, 34th Spain's Tania Bonilla and Nuria Miro and 35th Courtney Bilborough and Hattie Ward from the UK. By the end of the day Courtney and Hattie moved up to 28th place overall.
As the afternoon progressed visibility improved in Tremadog Bay with a clear view of the beautiful Cadair Idris mountain. The wind dropped to an average of 15 knots with a southerly wind but sea conditions were still enormous, keeping safety boats busy as they watched over the sailors in the huge waves.
Silver Fleet ended the day with another New Zealand boat in the lead! Girls Greta Stewart and Kate Stewart showed the boys how it's done. In second place with the same points were French boat Chambet Louis and Tim Depery. Third went to Sam Merson and Michael Sabourin from the USA.
As the challenging conditions continued all day with increasing gusts of wind towards the fifth race, boats gradually returned from the courses. Those remaining sailed some fantastic races. Bronze Fleet ended the day with Hong Kong boat in first place, sailed by Matthew Wright and Russell Aylsworth and Brit boats Matt Currell and Emma Hattersley in second and third Cori McFarlane and Callum Elwin.
After a wonderful but long series of five races, the sailors will be looking forward to a day of less wind tomorrow and hopefully slighter seas for the final day's racing. Perfect conditions for Dress Up Day!
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