The 23-strong 18 foot Skiff fleet from ten countries competing for the Velamare Cup enjoyed excellent sailing conditions yesterday (Tuesday), with more sunshine and a breeze of 10 to 12 knots.

The first race of the day was the scheduled long distance one, referred to as Races 4 and 5 because it scored double points, set on a complicated and stunningly beautiful course around the islands and rocky shores of the archipelago.

The Australian Omega Smeg team of Trevor Barnabas, Phil Hebden and Trent Barnabas took control of the race on the long windward leg to the first mark, and opened up a long lead over their fellow countrymen John Winning, Anthony Young and Euan McNicol on Computer Associates. Australians also took the third position, with Grant Rollerson, Glenn Raphael and Chris Cleary on Fisher & Paykel finishing ahead of the still consistent Britons Andy Richards, Andrew Fairley and Dave Richards on Radii.

Race 6, on a conventional course, was also won by Omega Smeg after the Swiss sailors Stephan Rueger, Veli Marti and Corsin Camenisch on Exel had held the lead throughout the first lap. Fisher & Paykel raced well again to take second place ahead of West Marine sailed by Howie Hamlin, Tony Hannan and Jonni Meers from USA, Australia and Great Britain respectively, who have all won the national championships of their countries. Radii again finished in fourth place.

Today (Wednesday) is a lay day, and the second long distance race will take place tomorrow followed by one or two short course races if the conditions are suitable, to make up for the fact that racing did not take place on Sunday.

The points table now sees Omega Smeg holding an 8 point lead over Fisher & Paykel, with Radii a further 2 points behind. Computer Associates is in fourth, counting 12 points from Race 1 which they will be pleased to get rid of as a discard.

Results

Races 4 and 5 (long distance) results

1. Omega Smeg, Trevor Barnabas, Phil Hebden and Trent Barnabas

2. Computer Associates, John Winning, Anthony Young and Euan McNicol

3. Fisher & Paykel, Grant Rollerson, Glenn Rahael and Chris Cleary

4. Radii, Andy Richards, Andrew Fairley and Dave Richards

5. Dildo, Mario Ziliani, Mauro Bettazza and Alberto Dell’Acqua

Race 6 results

1. Omega Smeg, Trevor Barnabas, Phil Hebden and Trent Barnabas

2. Fisher & Paykel, Grant Rollerson, Glenn Raphael and Chris Cleary

3. West Marine, Howard Hamlin, Tony Hannon and Jonni Meers

4. Radii, Andy Richards, Andrew Fairley and Dave Richards

5. Computer Associates, John Winning, Anthony Young and Euan McNicol

Positions after 6 races, no discard

1. Omega Smeg, Trevor Barnabas, Phil Hebden and Trent Barnabas, 11 points

2. Fisher & Paykel, Grant Rollerson, Glenn Raphael and Chris Cleary, 19 points

3. Radii, Andy Richards, Andrew Fairley and Dave Richrds, 21 points

4. Computer Associates, John Winning, Anthony Young and Euan McNicol, 28 poits

5. West Marine, Howard Hamlin, Tony Hannan and Jonni Meers, 34 points

6. Exel, Stephan Rueger, Veli Marti and Corsin Camenisch, 34 points