Bruinisse, Netherlands – Friday was always going to be a challenging for the race committee. With a forecasted change in wind direction of around 60 degrees over the course of the day, it was up to Jaco de Bat and his team to get the first race away before the rain clouds arrived.
The first race of the day started as scheduled in the more southerly winds. Pim van Vugt (NED 7) led the way around the course, with Thomas Hansson-Mild (SWE 100) clearly enjoying the slightly windier conditions and close behind and Nick Craig (GBR 2295) completing the top three.
The second race got underway just as the rain arrived, but with the wind shifting by around 40 degrees it was wisely abandoned after the first triangle. For a while, it looked as though conditions might settle enough to get the race restarted, but the wind continued to swing before eventually settling in the north-west. Up went the N flag, signalling race abandonment a second time just as the sailors rounded mark 1.
Third time proved the charm, with the wind finally settled and building slightly to 11 knots. It initially looked as though a match race would develop between Nick Craig and Pim van Vugt. However, a capsize for Pim at the end of the first lap gave Nick some breathing space and the opportunity to stretch his legs, finishing comfortably in first. He was followed across the finish line by again Thomas Hansson-Mild in second, and Baabii’O Flower (CAN 26) in third.
At the top, all still to play for with the top 3 all within a couple of points of one another. Otherwise, attention turns ashore, with the Ovington/PRO-SET Epoxy Class Dinner taking place in the marquee in the evening. Local moules (mosselen) and a BBQ were served by the volunteers, providing a hearty meal after a long day on the water.
Results after 4 races
1 GBR 2295 Nick CRAIG 5.0
2 NED 7 Pim van VUGT 7.0
3 SWE 100 Thomas HANSSON-MILD 7.0
4 GBR 11 Andy DAVIS 10.0
5 CAN 26 Baabii’O FLOWER 14.0
6 NZL 24 Sean CLEARY 16.0
7 GER 19 Ulli KURFELD 16.0
8 SWE 72 Benjamin HAMMERÖ 28.0
9 FRA 8 Timothée PETETIN 33.0
10 GBR 49 James DOWNER 36.0
Full results here: https://www.manage2sail.com/en-US/event/c4ba93db-f3d5-46bd-b686-cf1c238b6822#!/