Albacore Internationals final day - UK title winner decided

by Alan Henderson on 21 Jul 2009
On the third day of the Benromach Albacore Internationals, the UK National title was at stake.

Series leaders Barney Harris and David Byron, from the USA, were eligible for the title, and lay just a single point ahead of best Brits, Will Gulliver and Steve Graham, as we went into the final day’s Nationals racing.

Three races would decide who went home with the title. Forecast for the day was brisk. The two protagonists fought out their battle at the front, the pair drawing clear of the rest of the fleet in all three races. First blood went to Barney Harris and David Byron, who drew a little further ahead in the race for the series by winning the first race, from Gulliver, with Robert Lyne/ Peter Grey taking an excellent third in the oldest boat in the fleet.

But in the second race, Gulliver’s reply was swift. He relished the fresher breeze to take a comfortable win from Harris, with Chris Turner/ Simon Maguire in third. The two leading boats remained locked together, with all to hang on the result of the last race.

Winds were fresh at the start, and Gulliver was travelling fast in these conditions. He established a good lead early on, and stretched to take the race, with Barney Harris in second, and Turner third. The win took Gulliver onto equal points with Harris, and Gulliver’s four wins gave him the title on the tie break. Behind him, Barney’s hopes of a Nationals title had turned to Rubble.

For Gulliver, it was his first time at the Albacore Nationals. He thanked Pinnell & Bax sailmaker Steve Graham for stepping in as his crew at the last minute after his usual crew was unavailable. Steve was delighted to take his first Nationals title, while Will added this title to a previous win in Phantoms.

Ovington’s Chris Turner and Simon Maguire took third with consistent results, while Judy and Paul Armstrong in fourth overall took the Swansea Bay Trophy for best husband and wife. They were one of many family pairings among this friendly class.

All points in these Nationals races now carry forward into the International Championship series, which is set to be equally hard fought. The Internationals concludes on Friday.

Benromach Albacore Nationals, Results overall

1. Will Gulliver & Steve Graham, Northampton SC. 9pts.
2. Barney Harris & David Byron, Potomac River Sailing Assn, USA.
9pts.
3. Chris Turner & Simon Maguire, Tynemouth SC. 24pts.
4. Judy & Paul Armstrong, Scaling Dam SC. 31pts.
5. Nigel Potter & Mark Fowler, Notts County SC. 32pts.

Full results on www.scottishsailinginstitute.com
www.fotoboat.com