Three More Challenging Races Completed At 5.5 Metre Worlds

There were challenging weather conditions with extremely changeable winds ranging from 4 to 16 knots from the southeast veering to the northeast with sunshine and then dark menacing clouds on the fourth day of the 5.5m World Championship 2014 in Porto Santo Stefano.

The three races completed brought the race total to five. After six races have been completed, the worst result shall be discarded; on 26 September, last day of racing, the leaderboard could change completely. The Awards Ceremony will be held at the 16th century Spanish Fortress of Porto Santo Stefano in the late afternoon of Friday 26 September.

Race 1

At 11:20 the 37 crews from Bahamas, Finland, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland and Italy crossed the starting line under partially sunny skies with a 6-knot southeasterly breeze. From the first beat, the defending World Champion Markus Wieser on Mission Possible (GER79) pulled into the lead with John B – Gavin McKinney (BAH19) and Ali Baba – Flavio Marazzi (SUI224) in her wake. At mark 3, the sun burnt through the clouds, shifting the wind to the left and at the end of the second run the course was set for 115. The fair weather only lasted for one more leg and on the final run dark menacing clouds rolled over Monte Argentario the wind died down as the fleet crawls towards the finish line. Results 1st Wieser (GER79) – 2nd McKinney (BAH19) – 3rd Marazzi (SUI224). Caracole – Bernard Haissly (SUI214) is OCS.

Race 2

Shortly before 14:00. the breeze picked up to 11-12 knots as the Race Committee set the course for 140 degrees. McKinney (BAH19) was called over the line early and went back to restart while Mission Possible (GER79) sailed on the right hand side and Artemis XIV (NOR57) up the center of the course. At mark 1 Norwegian skipper Nergaard was in the lead followed by Topas III – Jack Frei (SUI217), by Arend Jan Pasman on Feng Shui (NED26) and by Flavio Marazzi’s Ali Baba (SUI224). At the end of the run sunny skies, occasional whitecaps and a brisk breeze from east-south east called for a course change to 115. Artemis XIV (NOR57) stretched out her lead and at the second leeward gate; Dutch Pasman (NED26) was second followed by Ali Baba (SUI224). Markus Wieser (GER79) closed the gap on the last two legs and crossed the finish line in fourth position. Results 1st Nergaard (NOR57), 2nd Arend Jan Pasman (NED26), 3rd Flavio Marazzi’s Ali Baba (SUI224)

Race 3

The third starting signal was made at 15:30. The fleet was nervous and a general recall was issued. The start was under Black flag with the 36 yachts crowding the pin end. Most of the fleet sailed to the left with wind from 125 degrees at 7-10 knots before a westerly windshift. Fifteen minutes after the start at mark 1 Mission Possible – Wieser (GER79) was in command. At the leeward gate, the course was changed to reflect the wind rotation: Caracole – Bernard Haissly (SUI214) and Arend Jan Pasman (NED26) were on Mission Possible’s tail. Towards the Ancient Roman harbor of Talamone, a storm is building quickly and once again, the course was changed. The wind died down on the last beat but on the final run, the breeze picked up once again as black clouds rolled over the course. Results: Mission Possible – Wieser (GER79) cuts the finishing line in 1st place. Second Feng Shui (NED26) and third Caracole – Bernard Haissly (SUI214).

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