The final two races of the 18ft Skiff international championship took place in the Bay of Quiberon on Sunday afternoon (10 June), in a north easterly breeze that varied between 8 and 12 knots.

‘RMW Marine’ skippered by Rob Greenhalgh took race nine by a considerable margin, but John Winning on ‘Yandoo’ sailed into second place to become unassailable in the championship. Howie Hamlin on ‘US Challenge’ finished third and Tony Hannan on ‘Total Recall’ was fourth.

Paul Bayliss on ‘Helly Hansen’ read the shifts correctly on the first beat of Race 10, to round the windward mark a short distance ahead of ‘RMW Marine’. Rob Greenhalgh chose to take ‘RMW Marine’ round the port hand mark at the leeward gate, and then continued offshore on port tack, while the remainder of the leading boats chose the starboard hand mark, and sailed inshore. This proved to be the correct move, and Trevor Barnabas on ‘Omega Smeg’ took over the lead, and John Winning’s ‘Yandoo’ moved into second place after working the inshore route very well.

Winning passed Barnabas to take his fourth victory of the series, while Paul Bayliss held on to third place and Howie Hamlin brought ‘US Challenge’ home in fourth.

With the second discard now coming into effect, John Winning took an well deserved first place, followed by Trevor Barnabas and Howie Hamlin. Rob Greenhalgh held on to fourth, ahead of Victor Brellisford and the consistent Flemming Clausen.

This now well established championship was a great success, and will add to the popularity of Carnac as an 18 foot Skiff venue. The friendliness and organisational ability of the Yacht Club de Carnac was much appreciated by the Skiff sailors.

Results

Race 9

1st ‘RMW Marine’ – Rob Greenhalgh, Dan Johnson and Tom Saunt (GBR)

2nd ‘Yandoo’ – John Winning, Jack Young and Euan MacNicol (AUS)

3rd ‘US Challenge’ – Howard Hamlin, Mike Martin and Chris Cleary (USA)

4th ‘Total Recall’ – Tony Hannan, Greg Windust and Mac Kavanagh (AUS)

5th ‘Omega Smeg’ – Trevor Barnabas, Daniel Phillips and Rod Howell (AUS)

6th ‘Helly Hansen’ – Paul Bayliss, James Storey and Alex Southern (GBR)

Race 10

1st ‘Yandoo’ – John Winning, Jack Young and Euan MacNicol (AUS)

2nd ‘Omega Smeg’ – Trevor Barnabas, Daniel Phillips and Rod Howell (AUS)

3rd ‘Helly Hansen’ – Paul Bayliss, James Storey and Alex Southern (GBR)

4th ‘US Challenge’ – Howard Hamlin, Mike Martin and Chris Cleary (USA)

5th ‘RMW Marine’ – Rob Greenhalgh, Dan Johnson and Tom Saunt (GBR)

6th ‘Wempe’ – Flemming Clausen, Michael Pedersen and Soren Clausen (DEN)

Overall Results

1st ‘Yandoo’ 19.7 points

2nd ‘Omega Smeg’ 32.7 points

3rd ‘US Challenge’ 34.1 points

4th ‘RMW Marine’ 38.1 points

5th ‘White Stuff’ 94.4 points

6th ‘Wempe’ 96.8 points