Broo Premium Lager Musto Performance Skiff Worlds - blue skies return

by Paul Manning on 15 Jan 2011 It's all to play for in the 2011 Musto Performance Skiff World Championships as the sailors come ashore on the penultimate day or racing, at Black Rock Yacht Club on Melbourne's Port Phillip Bay.

For the first time in a week it didn't rain today and the Victorian weather returned to what is expected - a sea breeze and warm temperatures under blue skies.

Race 8

Following a postponement ashore, the first start of race 8 got under way at 13:30 in 6-8knots from 170 degrees. This was promptly general recalled by the race management team and the fleet returned to try again.

Heavy rain on the previous day meant that a current was flowing out of the Melbourne river, causing the fleet to be pushed over early.

The second attempt to start was under black flag, and again, the sailors were pushed by the current. PRO Mark Taylor took the sensible decision not to penalise any sailors, as a significant number were over, and it would be difficult to count every boat.

Following a short postponement, race 8 got away at the third attempt under black flag.

Ian Renilson GBR 449 led at the top mark, closely followed by Iver Ahlmann GER 370, Dan Ward GBR 286, Jono Neate AUS 440 and Jonathon Newman AUS 425. Newman squeezing a tack inside Neate, which he just failed to complete and immediately took a penalty turn.

The breeze began to drop to a point close to the class minimum, but just stayed on the good side.

The wind shifted to 170 degrees and Renilson continued to lead the fleet around the next lap, but Daniel Henderson GBR 409 slipped through to take the win from Bruce Keen GBR 441 with Renilson having to settle for third.

Race 9

The AP flag was promptly flown following the completion of race 8 to allow the wind to settle.

The gentle sea breeze moving from 170 degrees at the completion of race 8 through to a final 120 bearing for the start of race 9.

AP was down at 16:00, with a stable 7-8kots.

The fleet got away at the first attempt, with Dan Henderson GBR 409 leading a group including his closest rival, local sailing star Marcus Hamilton AUS 453, Bruce Keen GBR 441, Iver Ahlmann GER 370 and Julian Ramm GER 443.

The windward mark was relaid for the second windward leg as the breeze had shifted right to
130 degrees and Henderson led from Keen, Ahlmann and Hamilton. The leading 7 boats covered by only 15 seconds.

Ahlmann pulled through on the final downwind leg to take the win from best friend Julian Ramm giving the German sailors their class first ever first and second finish at a World Championships. Henderson hung on to third place from a closing Matt Hollis GBR 356.

Current overall standings

Daniel Henderson GBR 409 - 29 points
Marcus Hamilton AUS 453 - 34 points
Bruce Keen GBR 441 - 42 points
Jonathon Newman AUS 425 - 44 points
Jono Neate AUS 440 - 47 points

Full results can be viewed at the event results page click here