With a north-westerly Force 4-5 there was a promise of some excellent sailing in flat seas for the final three races of the Formula 18 world championship at Poole on Thursday 19 July, 2001.

A total of 80 boats tallied out and quickly arrived in Poole Bay for race six. With only a very short delay the fleet got away to a clear start. Mitch Booth was just too close to the pin end committee boat and had to take a 360 degree penalty. The leading boat rounded the windward mark in 14 minutes. Competitors were evenly divided between the port and starboard marks at the leeward gate.

The Mourniac brothers were in first place by the second beat and held it to the end winning by nearly one minute from Aussie Darren Bundock. After his poor start, Mitch Booth picked up to eighth place. Britain’s Rob Wilson and Will Howden took third.

Following an adjustment to the line after a general recall, the Mourniacs were quickly away at the start of race seven with Gunnar Larsen taking a port hand flyer. On the second beat there were some place changes with Mitch Booth pulling up to second and Hugh Styles to third. The Hobie Girls, Frederique and Francoise, were 10th on the first beat but had dropped back to 15th on the second round.

The Mourniacs and Mitch Booth had a close race to the finish with Booth just taking first place. Hugh Styles and Adam May finished third.

The north-westerly wind had increased to 20 knots by the start of the last race. The first start resulted in a general recall which had been enlivened by a fishing boat sailing onto the course. The second start was clear but marred for the Cottons and Mourniacs who both suffered damage following an incident at the pin end of the line. Booth led from start to finish followed over one minute later by Peter Vink with Gunnar Larsen third, which made it a clean sweep for Holland!

Overall Results

1st NED 88, Mitch Booth and Herbert Dercksen (Rotterdam ZV)

2nd FRA 765, Jean-Chr Mourniac and Phillppe Mourniac

3rd FRA 931, Billy Besson and Arnoud Jarlegan (SNO Nate)

4th GBR 928, Rob Wilson and Will Howden (RYA)

1st Lady F18

FRA 7051, Frederique Pfeiffer and Francoise Dettling (Noisy Le Grand)

1st Parkstone Yacht Club boat

29th GBR1, Phil and Miranda Cotton