Article/Video shoot: Rick Perkins
Video Edit: Nick Hollis
Photos: Tania Samus http://www.photoskiff.com/
RIB Driver: Paul Manning
Video Music: Barry Shotton
Bruce Keen (GBR) wins the World
Championships :: Report from 30/06/2012
The morning after the night before; last
night the class hosted a gala dinner for 180 competitors
and friends as well as guests of event sponsor ACO who
had invited Sir John Armitt Chairman of the Olympic
Delivery Authority. The dinner was a huge success and
the assembled were well entertained by double medalist
Simon Hiscocks who was the after dinner speaker. Simon
also hosted a charity auction in aid of CRASH the homeless
charity nominated by ACO. The auction raised £1,600
and special mention must go to Nigel Walbank who not
only donated a stunning pair of Bolle sunglasses to
the lots, but also very generously bid for two lots
totalling £712.
Big thanks to the supporters of the auction:
ACO, Musto, Harken, Shock Sailing, Mark Rushall, Jon
Emmett Ovington Boats and Nigel Walbank
The final day of the ACO Musto Skiff World
Championship dawned with sun and wind and many happy
competitors as the conditions here at Weymouth looked
perfect for skiff sailing. The wind was a good 16 –
20 knots and the racing was scheduled to be inside the
harbour.
With 6 races on the board 4 were scheduled
for the final day and the fleet launched with plenty
of drink and energy bars on board to see them through
the day.
The first race got away under an individual
recall. At the first mark Wright had a good lead followed
by Keen & Stenhouse, at the next windward Wright
was extending followed by Keen and Newman who had overhauled
Stenhouse for third. At the finish these positions stood.
The second race of the day got away with
an individual recall; at mark one Keen lead from Martinez
and Peake. Wright again was on a charge and pulled through
for the win from Keen and Peake.
The conditions were now getting even more
fresh with white caps everywhere and the fleet bouncing
around on the chop.
Although 4 races were scheduled it looked
likely that this 3rd race would be it, as the conditions
were following the forecast and building to 25 knots.
Going into the race Stenhouse still lead
on points but it was all to play for …
At the first mark Keen lead from Oliver,
on the next lap Keen still lead followed by Newman and
Oswald; Stenhouse held 6th which was not a winning combination
… Stenhouse needed to finish 3rd to take the win.
The condition on the final run were very
rough with boats on the limit as they charged downwind
… Keen crossed the line then sat and watched hoping
none of the boats between him and Stenhouse would fall
victim to a capsize.
As it was the leaders all came streaming
over the line with Newman second and Oswald third. Stenhouse
could only manage 6th which meant Bruce Keen had taken
the title by 2 points, congratulations Bruce!
The skiff fleet also runs Silver and Bronze
fleets which gives everyone something to race for. In
addition there are age categories for youth, master
and grand master.
For all the details on the results please
view the event website.
All that remains to be done is to thank
the event title sponsor ACO, the marine sponsor Harken,
WPNSA for their fantastic hospitality and David Campbell-James
and his race team for their faultless race management.
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