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27 September 2005, 11:49 am

Tense Racing At Third Qualifier

RYA National Match Racing Championship Qualifier 2005

The final 2005 ISAF Grade 4 Royal Yachting Association (RYA) National Match Racing Championship qualifying event got underway on 24-25 September at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy (WPNSA) in Great Britain. After close racing Rob GREIG-GRAN won the event and a slot in the upcoming RYA National Match Racing Final.

With eight to 14 knots of wind on the course, sailors took to the water in the RYA J/80's to start the first round robin. On Sunday the wind built from 14 knots to a blustery 23 knots forcing the race committee to call off the final racing series.

The qualifying event proved to be the closest event yet, with three competitors, Connor MYANT, Des DAVIS and Lucy MACGREGOR, finishing with equal points after an extremely close round robin. The last match of the last flight saw MACGREGOR and MYANT square up against each other. MACGREGOR went into the match in first place overall knowing that if she and her crew won they would secure a spot in the upcoming RYA National Match Racing Finals. MACGREGOR however was out manoeuvred by MYANT and his team and lost the match, dropping her out of the lead and into fourth place overall. By taking the win, MYANT moved into second overall and secured a spot in the Match Racing Play Offs on 1-2 October.

With the round robin completed there was a clear winner. GREIG-GRAN took the top position with eight points overall and will join eleven other teams at the RYA National Match Racing Final held at WPNSA from 7-9 October 2005.

RYA National Match Racing Championship Qualifier Final Standings

1. Rob GREIG-GRAN
2. Connor MYANT
3. Des DAVIS
4. Lucy MACGREGOR
5. David TABB
6. Ben AINSWORTH
7. Alex CHERRY
8. Philip WHITE
9. Dan VICKERS
10. Malov SHROFF
11. Henry AYRES

Myrrh Walker