Hungarians On Track For 11th Flying Dutchman World Title

Ten times Flying Dutchman World Champions Szabolcs Majthenyi and András Domokos (HUN) are on track for their 11th Flying Dutchman world title at the 2015 Worlds in Sydney, Australia.

The Hungarians have dominated, winning six out of six races to lead Enno Kramer and Ard Geelkerken (NED) by six points.

On the third day of competition, sailors were frantic on the hardstand trying to finalise repairs and ensure all boats were ready for the start. Shiprights were in demand and many had to make do with temporary fixes, knowing that Tuesday is a lay day which will allow more time for proper repairs. Unfortunately, NZL 7 was unable to get a new mast fitted in time.

Race 5 – W3 130

Flying Dutchman boats were struggling to actually reach the start line with extremely light winds. Several boats took advantage of passing ribs and opted for a tow to the start. There was a delayed AP start waiting for winds to build and the course to be finalised. The delay allowed for all stragglers to reach the start line. The 12.30 start was set and the Hungarians moved from behind the fleet through the boats and pick a clear hole in the fleet.

Unfortunately, this was followed by a rapid double horn, signalling a general recall. At 12:40 the fleet achieved a clean start in light airs and changing conditions. Local knowledge was tipped to be a major factor in these difficult conditions. First to return to the bottom mark was Colin McLeod and Andrew McCowan – a very different leader in the mix. By 13:40 the lead boats had resumed some predictable order. The Hungarians were banging straight into Shark Island, as far as possible before tacking for a final straight run to the finish.

They took the win and were followed by Kramer and Geelkerken and Australian National Champions Edward Cox and Peter Bevis.

Race 6: W4 135

The 14:20 five minute warning, flagged a long race course with 4 sausages and a beat to finish. The general tactic appeared to be to start starboard, flip onto port, run for Shark Island and then the top mark. That plan was thwarted by 2 general recalls. At the first top mark it was the leading trio in podium order. The Hungarians were followed by the Dutch pair and Germany’s Kai Schaefers and Peter Van Koppen.

Cox and Bevis were the first Aussie boat to the mark. Heading to the bottom mark demanded many jibes with spinakers flapping. On the second beat the breeze was freshening up and the Hungarians had opened up the lead to 35 seconds. The Duth and German teams were all in the mix at the top mark. In lumpy seas the Hungarians lead at the bottom and shortened tacks as they ran to the third top mark by 15:39. By the fourth top mark the Hungarians had opened up an even greater lead to two full minutes, followed by the Germans and then the Dutch. The top three remained the same as the day played out in a rapidly decreasing breeze.

Results