Fireball Worlds Day 3

by Tim Saunders on 27 Aug 2009 Fireball Worlds Day 3. Rain overnight had brought cloudy conditions to La Rochelle and the fleet launched in light conditions and waited for the Sea Breeze to fill in.

The race officer and his team were eventually rewarded and racing was able to start a little later than planned. This time the racing area on the Pertuis was a little further toward the shore. Wind was 6 -10 Knots during the day.

Race 5

A two way battle between the current UK National Champions Matt Burge and Richard Wagstaff and regatta leaders Chips Howarth and Vyv Townend. This time Burge and Wagstaff took the gun with Former World Champion DJ Edwards crewed by Simon Potts third.

1st Matt Burge and Richard Wagstaff
2nd Chips Howarth and Vyv Townend
3rd David Edwards and Simon Potts
4th Angus Hemmings and Steve Chesney
5th Andy Pearce and Hugh Butler

Race 6

The Italian team of Maurizio Leone and Luca Campati lead at the windward mark but were eventually overhauled. Tom Gillard and Francis Rowan were showing the form that placed them third at the Europeans last week and they pulled through to take the win. Former Fireball European Champions Andy Smith and Jonny Mildred had there best race of the series so far taking 2nd. Chips Howarth and Vyv Townend consolidated their position at the top of the leader board with 3rd place. With four races left to sail they are in a strong position, but with another discard to come in things could still change.

1st Tom Gillard and Francis Rowan
2nd Andy Smith and Jonny Mildred
3rd Chips Howarth and Vyv Townend
4th Matt Burge and Richard Wagstaff
5th Angus Hemmings Steve Chesney

Overall After 6 races

1st Chips Howarth and Vyv Townend 8pts
2nd David Edwards and Simon Potts 36pts
3rd Matt Burge and Richard Wagstaff 37pts
4th Ludovic Alleaume and Etienne Perdon 41pts
5th Martyn Lewis and Richard Bailey 43 pts

Results: click here

After racing competitors enjoyed a carribean themed evening at the sponsored by the Barbados government and Mount Gay rum. After a ceremonial exchange of burgees between SRR La Rochelle and Barbados Yacht Club, representatives from the Barbados government and tourist board and Fireball International put on a fantastic presentation about next year's Worlds. www.fireballworlds.com