Keen takes Musto Performance Skiff World Championship

The final day of the ACO 6th Musto Performance Skiff World Championships dawned with the sun shining and great expectations from the competitors that the thermal south wind would kick in to give a grandstand finish to the event.

However, the wind gods of Garda had other ideas and regardless of the heat the north wind continued to prevail.

After a short delay Race 10 was started in 7 knots of north breeze. Former World Champion Richard Stenhouse pulled off a text book port end start crossing the fleet and leading the fleet to the left.

Opinions were split on the beat as to the best strategy but as the sun continued to shine the north wind shut down and the race team abandoned the race; special mention to John Reekie (GBR) who was leading at the time.

The fleet then waited, and waited, looking at the 4pm deadline for the start of the final race as the north and south wind battled for control of the lake.

Eventually the south wind prevailed and the race team quickly set up for one last race; as people had been waiting their subsequent enthusiasm got the better of them and the fleet were very early leading to a general recall.

With time marching on and the 4pm deadline looming the black flag was rolled out for the first time this week and the fleet started cleanly in 9 knots of south wind.

At the end of the first lap Matt Holden (GBR) lead from Zieher (AUT) and Keegan (GBR).

Matt has already had a great week getting engaged to fiancé Alice Pinkney and looked set to celebrate further with a race win but got caught out on the final run.

At the finish of the race it was Marco Anessi (ITA) winning from Alex Knight (GBR) and Alex Griel (SUI).
With the 4pm deadline passed race 10 was the final race of the regatta; 10 of the 12 races were completed in a range of conditions.

Bruce Keen (GBR) has regained the world championships with defending champion Jon Newman (AUS) taking second. Third was Daniel Trotter (GBR) with an excellent regatta as first youth also.

The top 20 saw sailors from GBR, AUS, AUT, GER, ESP & ITA. Ages ranged from 18 to 50; weights from 68kgs to 105kgs … Musto Skiff racing can accommodate all nationalities, ages and sizes.

The class would like to thank Fraglia Vela Riva for hosting the event; their excellent team both on and off the water made for a successful championships. Also thanks to the equipment inspection team and international jury who did a great job of ensuring fair play.

The 2016 World Championships will be held in Carnac (FRA) and competitors are already looking forward to meeting up to reacquaint friendships built over the last 10 days.

Safe journey to all on the way home; and a final thank you to event sponsors ACO, class sponsors Musto and Class Builders Ovington Boats.

Full results here:

1GBR 534Keen Bruce, Maschio, GOLD, Stokes Bay18,0112522(6)14(dns)
2AUS 492Newman Jon, Maschio, GOLD, Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron45,012491341(15)(15)11
3GBR 527Trotter Dan, Maschio, Y, GOLD, Derwent Reservoir59,0(31)1413411108(19)8
4GBR 414Peacock Rick, Maschio, GOLD, Weston sailing Club67,0223(39)88(28)36710
5AUT 395Zieher Moritz, Maschio, Y, GOLD, Union Yacht Club Attersee84,026(50)(38)1069241413
6GBR 442Stenhouse Richard, Maschio, M, GOLD, Rutland Sailing Club89,0821917(36)208132(22)
7GER 484Schwerdt Frithjof, Maschio, GOLD, Potsdamer Yachtclub92,04(ret)51314(27)1531226
8GBR 354Hand George, Maschio, GOLD, Stokes Bay SC97,05(29)15(26)22157111012
9GBR 520Poston Dave, Maschio, GOLD, Datchet104,0612174123212(ocs)(58)
10GBR 499Wright Tom, Maschio, GOLD, Lyminton Town104,03498912(56)1499(48)
11AUS 513Schoenhoff Thor, Maschio, GOLD, Fremantle Sailing Club118,01410251093(28)27(32)20
12ESP 480Martinez Balaguer Justo, Maschio, M, SILVER, Club náutic s’Arenal135,044(53)31142012446(50)
13AUS 489Jones Denis, Maschio, M, GOLD, Mounts Bay Sailing Club142,01025102111(72)(46)101738
14AUS 380Robertson Richie, Maschio, M, GOLD, Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron143,0716622(58)(61)345152
15GBR 526Shelley Jono, Maschio, GOLD, Ullswater Yacht Club145,018(47)431131411(ocs)2925
16GBR 444Hilton Jamie, Maschio, GOLD, Datchet Water SC153,091121(40)18935(ocs)1634
17GER 390Lachenschmid Andi, Maschio, GOLD, ASC154,03024142635(dsq)2(ocs)41
18GBR 487Schooling Ben, Maschio, GOLD, Datchet Water SC154,021(44)232442112(dns)3415
19GER 495Ahlmann Iver, Maschio, GOLD, Kieler Yacht Club (KYC)155,0(35)282719(34)101931318
20ITA 504Anessi Marco, Maschio, Y, SILVER, A.N.Sebina156,02421(61)1821(39)337311

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