Scot Yacht is number one

Frank Cassidy 1538 - 1538 • Published 19 Jul 2007 09:17

Scottish Boat leads World Championship

Lafayette, which is skippered by Allan Manuel, took the lead on the first day of the 8 Metre Centennial World Championship 2007, run by the Royal Northern Yacht Club and sponsored by Chopard.

The Scottish yacht has yet to sail in a championship and not be on the podium, having been unbeatable in heavy air and since her keel was changed she has become a superb all-round performer for the conditions in Scotland.

In spite of poor visibility, the first race started on time at 11am in 12 to 14 knots of wind and Wyvern was disqualified for being over the start line early.

Soon after the start, the wind backed, resulting in a rather one-sided course with Lafayette, Aluette and Hollandia the leading boats at the first mark.

These three were in the lead throughout the race, which lasted just over an hour but Lafayette extended the gap as the crewing was superior to other boats.

First of the classic boats was Saskia from Australia, which finished sixth overall having sailed a very good race, but Carron from Norway retired with damage to her mainsail, although managed to return in time for the second start.

A second race was started in about six to eight knots of wind but was abandoned soon after the leading yachts had passed the windward mark as the wind there died to virtually zero.

Hollandia was leading, followed at this stage by Lafayette, then Alluette, which had just passed Peter Wilson"s Ganymede, the newest boat in the fleet, which had its first sail only two days previously.

Lafayette, better in heavier conditions, struggled off the start line in the second race, but recovered impressively to be closely in touch with Hollandia at the top mark, with the remainder of the fleet well behind.

After a long wait for new breeze, the race officer abandoned racing for the day.

A welcome weather change met the competitors on day two with sunshine all day, and a south-westerly breeze of around 11 or 12 knots providing two good races for the 21 yachts from 11 countries.

After a postponement, Hollandia made a perfect start, followed by Lafayette but Gefion, from Canada, led at the first mark after a tricky first leg, followed by the Swiss boat, Aluette, then Gefion, Hollandia, and Lafayette.

At the beginning of the third leg, the first three boats went one way, and Lafayette the other and when the boats next came together, Lafayette was in the lead from Aluette, with the German boat Wyvern leading the classic boats from the Australians in Saskia and Finns in Windy.

It signalled a second win for Lafayette, Aluette her second runners-up spot and Hollandia, a previous champion, was third.

Shifting wind caused a long delay to the second race, followed by a general recall, when virtually the whole fleet was over the starting line early.

Aluette led at the first mark which she held throughout the race, chased all the way by Lafayette, while Hollandia fought her way up to third place from fifth.

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This article appeared in Helensburgh Advertiser 19 Jul 07

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