Inaugural Access Worlds concluded in Canada

by David Staley on 6 Sep 2007 The final races of the Inaugural Access Class World Championships at Whitby Yacht Club were abandoned today with thunderstorms threatening. Organisers and sailors satisfied that they had completed sufficient races with all divisions sailing at least 8 heats.

At today’s presentation ceremony, Duncan MacGregor (AUS) was crowned as the International Access 2.3 Single-Person World Champion. The young Queensland sailor won all but the first race of the series. Clare Andrew (GBR) was second and Debbie Boys (AUS) third. Martin Waller (AUS) claimed the 2.3 Servo Assist Trophy.

Despite a strong finish yesterday from Jim Brown (AUS), it was his countryman Michael Leydon who claimed the World Championship by 3 points. Brown was second with Zoltan Pegan (HUN) third.

Joshua McKenzie-Brown (NZL) maintained a 5 point lead after 9 races and is the Inaugural Liberty Open World Champion. Second placed was Barry Coates (AUS) who moved ahead of Chris Riordan (AUS) yesterday. Cam Perry (CAN) was only 1 point off the podium, but claimed the Canadian and North American Championship trophies.

Dan Fitzgibbon & Rachael Cox (AUS) were awarded the SKUD 18 International Championship ahead of Ame Barnbrook & Dennis Critchley (AUS) and Rick Watters & Audrey Kobayashi (CAN).

There was little separating each of the top three teams in the Two-Person 303’s. Eva Mircsev & Zoltan Pegan (HUN) won every heat yesterday and were presented the World Championship ahead of Michael Leydon & Debbie Boys (AUS), with Jim Brown & Tish Ennis (AUS) third.

Trophies were awarded by Jim Dike, President of the Canadian Yachting Association, along with Principal Race Officer, David Sprague and Chair of the International Jury, Lynne Beal.

http://www.accessclass.org