5.5 Metre World Championship at Hankø Yacht Club - Day 2
by Robert Deaves 2 Jul 2022 11:58 PDT
1-7 July 2022
The fleet on day 1 of the 5.5 World Championship 2022 © Robert Deaves
All racing on the second day of the 5.5 Metre World Championship in Hankø, Norway, was cancelled on Saturday as the forecasted strong winds arrived and buffeted the island all day. The sailors took the opportunity for maintenance, sightseeing and relaxing ahead of what looks like three quite challenging days ahead.
It was still a beautifully warm day though with glorious sunshine and high temperatures when out of the incessant wind. The forecast for Sunday is for more moderate conditions, though the winds may remain at 15-18 knots.
Racing continues through to Tuesday 5 July.
Here's a look at some of the runners and riders.
New Moon II - a 2019 Wilke built hull designed by Sebastien Schmidt. The New Moon team won the 2018 World Championship in Cowes and based on the opening day here are sailing smart and fast.
Caracole is a 2014 Wilke/Schmidt. While winning many Swiss championships, the team have yet to win the World Championship though Daniel Stampfli has won twice in a different team
The Artemis team have won the last two world championships and Kristian Nergaard is the most successful 5.5 Metre sailor of all time with 11 world titles as helm or crewing for his father. Artemis is a 2019 Wilke/Schmidt, formerly Dieter Schon's Momo.
A Steve Quigley design built by David Heritage in Cowes in 2020/21 using the deck, keel and rudder from the former SUI 222. It won the Alpen Cup last year with Peter Morton on the helm and is helmed here by his wife, crewed by two of the top British female sailors.
Ex-Jurg Menzi, a 2016 Wilke/Schmidt and the team's first event in a modern after dominating the Evolution fleet in the last two world championships. They won a race in the Scandinavian Gold Cup and are a clear contender for the podium.
A 2010 Wilke/Schmidt which won the worlds in 2010 with Flavio Marazzi on the helm. Craig Symonette has four world championship bronze medals, while Flavio Marazzi has won six world titles, so there is plenty of pedigree in this team.
Perhaps the most radical boat in the fleet. Designed by Dave Hollom for Peter Morton and built in Cowes it has already shown its legs in a breeze, after winning the Scandinavian Gold Cup and with three days of breeze forecast ahead, this team certainly has the potential to do the double. Built in Cowes by Composite Craft and finished by David Heritage, with a rig from Heol Composites France, it also unlike all other moderns here with no runners and no trim tab.
A Wilke/Schmidt, and world champion in 2017. Mckinney is one of the most experienced 5.5 Metre sailors in the world and is always in the mix at major events.
Racing is scheduled to resume at 12.00 on Sunday.
Results after 2 races:
1 New Moon II (BAH 24, Mark Holowesko, Christoph Burger, Peter Vlasov) 2pts
2 Caracole (SUI 214, Bernard Haissly, Nicolas Berthoud, Daniel Stampfli) 6pts
3 Artemis (NOR 57, Kristian Nergaard, Johan Barne, Trond Solli Sæther) 8pts
4 Girls on Film (GBR 41, Louise Morton, Annie Lush, Hannah Diamond) 10pts
5 Ku-Ring-Gai 3 (AUS 66, John Bacon, Terry Wetton, James Mayjor) 10pts
Full results here.
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