Please select your home edition
Edition
A+T Instruments 2024 Leaderboard

Bournemouth Digital Poole Week 2023 – Day 4

by David Harding 24 Aug 2023 18:38 AEST 20-25 August 2023

Wednesday was another glorious day in Poole Harbour. The sun shone, which is always a good start. And the wind, though it never matched Tuesday's 12-15 knots, was a perfectly sailable-in 7-9 knots. Importantly for the race officers, it also stayed relatively consistent in direction, rarely deviating far from 145 degrees.

That didn't stop the pin end from being favoured for the starts from the Parkstone Platform, however. Boats approaching from too high in both the XOD and Shrimper fleets found themselves with nowhere to go, having to circle round and start late.

For David Lack, who was squeezed out in his Shrimper, that didn't really matter. He started last but immediately tacked off to the right, which he had planned to do anyway. A good beat put him ahead of the boats that got involved in 'a bit of a fracas' at the windward mark, allowing him to pull through into the lead on the next leg and stay there to take the gun. Richard Hornby, who had won the first race on Sunday, had to settle for fourth, leaving him two points adrift in the overall standings.

Showing exactly how to do it, John Tremlett nailed the XOD start right on the pin in the first race but still recorded his lowest place of the series, a discarded fifth. A second in the second race keeps him five points clear of fellow Itchenor sailor Penny Fulford.

Positions changed in the Wayfarers on Wednesday after two races that saw a good deal of shuffling throughout the fleet. The consistent element was Sean Murray who, sailing with his seven-year-old son, James, won both races in convincing style. Crewed by his older son, Alex, on Tuesday, Murray had scored a first and a second and those results, combined with Wednesday's two bullets, moved him four points clear of Ian Sargeant after two discards.

It was definitely a day for young lightweight crews. Having helped his dad, Will, to a second and a first when they last raced on Monday, nine-year-old Reubyn Storey went one better this time as they came home with two 1sts. Peter Loretto and Lily Tointon still hold the top spot after a second in the second race.

The lighter winds saw new faces at the front in the ILCA 6s, through the winner of both races, Roberta Hartley, has never finished lower than fourth all week. Robert's husband, Andrew, has also been having a consistent week in the ILCA 7s and is currently lying fourth. At the top of the table, Alan Davis's 2, 1 on Wednesday increased his lead to six points after eight races.

An equally consistent pattern is emerging in the Flying Fifteens, Richard Whitworth having won the last three races to establish a four-point cushion at the top. The Fifteens are going to have to be on their best behaviour from now on, because the number of OCSs and general recalls prompted the use of the U-flag on Wednesday. That wasn't enough, so the fleet will now be starting under the black flag.

The ILCA 6s have moved on to the U-flag following a fair amount of over-eagerness on the start line, but the more orderly approach of the ILCA 7s and RS200s means that they have not yet needed to be disciplined. Efficient starting sequences, quick turnarounds between races and minimal hanging around is what race officer Fi Linford has been aiming for and achieving.

How the race officers and competitors will handle the next couple of days will be interesting to see. If the forecast is to be believed - and, given recent form, that's a very big 'if' - a more unstable north-westerly airflow is moving in on Thursday. Will the cream still rise to the top? It normally does, but there might be a few more challenges along the way.

Provisional results on www.pooleweek.org

Photos on www.SailingScenes.com

Related Articles

David Porter, King of Sydney Harbour in the 1970s
During one of the greatest eras in the 134-year history of the 18ft Skiff class During a 10-year career in the 18s from 1970-71 to 1979-80, inclusive, Dave Porter won the 1975 World Championship, three Australian and five NSW (State) championships as well as numerous club championships. Posted today at 12:51 am
SailGP: Australia on top in Geneva- Day 1
The Flying Roos (AUS) top of the leaderboard, after the first day of racing in SailGP Switzerland. The Flying Roos sit on top of the leaderboard, after the first day of racing in SailGP Switzerland. This was the first test of the new light air foils, and three races were sailed, all completed within the time limits. Posted today at 12:35 am
Another win for MACIF Santé Prévoyance
Sam Goodchild and Loïs Berrehar victorious in Défi Azimut Lorient Agglomération The British skipper Sam Goodchild, who was a key part of the crew on Biotherm that won The Ocean Race Europe, followed up with victory in the two-handed Défi Azimut - Lorient Agglomération 48 Hours race today. Posted on 20 Sep
Team Malizia ends on a high
Boris Herrmann's team fourth in The Ocean Race Europe After five legs, over 4,500 nautical miles, and six weeks of intense offshore racing, The Ocean Race Europe 2025 concluded today in Boka Bay, Montenegro. Team Malizia delivered a strong performance, climbing the overall leaderboard to finish fourth. Posted on 20 Sep
A podium finish for Holcim-PRB
Team showed drive, consistent performance and commitment in The Ocean Race Europe After six weeks of racing, Holcim-PRB sailed its final race of The Ocean Race Europe 2025 today in Montenegro. With a third-place finish in the coastal race in Boka Bay, the Swiss boat secured a spot on the podium, claiming the bronze medal. Posted on 20 Sep
Aussies checkmate in tense opener in Geneva
Tom Slingsby and the BONDS Flying Roos sit in pole position Tom Slingsby and the BONDS Flying Roos sit in pole position after the opening day in Geneva, following a day of racing that was described as a "chess-like battle" on the water. Posted on 20 Sep
15th Défi Azimut - Acceleration and extension
Sleep? Dream on! The numerous videos posted by the OBRs (On-Board Reporters) on the Défi Azimut Lorient Agglomération server this morning testify to the infinite patience and the depth of talent required by the crews to make the Occidentale de Sein. Posted on 20 Sep
BONDS Flying Roos in pole position in Geneva
Day 1 of Rolex Switzerland Sail Grand Prix The BONDS Flying Roos top the event leaderboard with 25 points after opening day in Geneva. All 12 international teams battled shifty, light conditions, with those able to stay up on the foils and nail the maneuvers finding themselves still in the hunt. Posted on 20 Sep
Biotherm takes the win
Spectacular Coastal Race in Boka Bay marks the end of The Ocean Race Europe The Boka Bay Coastal Race was a perfect reflection of this edition of The Ocean Race Europe: spectacular. And as they did over and over again during the past six weeks, it was Paul Meilhat's Biotherm who secured victory. Posted on 20 Sep
America's Cup: Vision for the Naples unveiled
Emirates Team NZ and Sport e Salute unveiled the vision for the America's Cup in Naples in 2027. Emirates Team NZ and Sport e Salute, the publicly-owned Italian company responsible for promoting sports and a healthy lifestyle across the nation, unveiled the vision for the Louis Vuitton 38th America's Cup in Naples in 2027. Posted on 20 Sep
North Sails Loft 57 PodcastExcess CatamaransRolly Tasker Sails 2023 FOOTER