Tricky conditions greeted the 45 International Dragons for race five in the Edinburgh Cup in Cowes with a south-west wind varying in strength between 5-10 knots on Thursday. Principal race officer Ian Lallow set the windward mark just to the south of the Brambles Bank.

The tide was still ebbing to the west so the majority of boats decided that the left-hand side was the place to be, all the lead boats round the first windward mark came in from this side.

Paul Richard Hoj-Jensen who has been as consistent as ever this week had a bit of a shocker posting an 11th; he is used to winning regattas with a day to spare. Star of the day was Simon Payne who held his nerve to post a first place, the only result that would keep his championship hopes alive.

Second was local Cowes boat Frantic helmed by Eric Williams, he was always up at the front of the fleet and must now be regretting his results earlier in the week which saw him well down the field. Quicksilver helmed by Burnham man and Dragon Class Captain Rob Campbell was third – again he has been a bit erratic with his results and will not feature in the overall positions.

Fourth on the water was the ever-consistent Richard Jordan who notched up another solid result. This boat has had a top ten finish every day and is now guaranteed at least sixth overall. Rory Bowman in Yeah Baby had to settle for a fifth having dropped down the rankings on the last beat.

So, one race to go and still four boats have a shot at the title; both Ireland’s Andrew Craig and Rory Bowman from Aldeburgh have a mathmatical outside chance, but the smart money has to be on either Payne or Hoj-Jensen.