The 49er open meeting at Lee-on-Solent SC on 11-12 May turned out to to be an international regatta with competitors from five nations on the start line.

Just like the other fleets competing at the same regatta, Saturday was a desperate battle of wits and nerve. The fickle wind having a fight between to sea breeze and north-westerly gradient air brought much frustration. However, fresh from the 29er class, Ben McGraine and James Perry the won both races with only the local team of Malcolm Jaques and Roger Coles providing the closest competition.

Sunday brought some real sailing conditions, sunshine and 12-15 knots. Paul Brotherton and Mark Asquith showed the fleet why they are one of the top 49er teams in the world by winning all but one of the races. 470 gold medallists Mark Turnball and Nick Partridge from Australia won the other race and kept a string of low point scores to give them second overall.

Veterans Jaques and Coles kept there heads cool and held on to third on the Saturday, but a broken trapeze wire on the Sunday meant they had to count a DNF which dropped them down the rankings.

Overall Results

1st GBR 7, PAUL BROTHERTON AND MARK ASQUITH

2nd AUS 416, MARK TURNBULL AND NICK PARTRIDGE

3rd GBR 031, MALCOLM JAQUES ROGER COLES

4th GBR 672 MIKE SPELLER AND PETE LINDLEY

5th GBR 599, MARK AND PAUL DELL

6th GBR 716, ALEX HOPSON AND PHIL KENNARD