‘RMW Marine’ sailed by Rob Greenhalgh, Dan Johnson and Jonny Meers won the European 18 foot Skiff International in great style by finishing first in the three final heats sailed today (Saturday) at Carnac in the Bay of Quiberon. This rounded off an outstanding performance by the team during the week, when they won seven of the ten heats sailed.

Other leading contenders were beset with a number of problems today. Howie Hamlin, Mike Martin and Chris Cleary on ‘General Electric-US Challenge’ were disqualified from the first heat of the day after being adjudged over the line at the start along with three other boats, while John Winning, Jack Young and Euan McNicol on ‘Yandoo-d’Albora Marinas’ lost their topmast when a spreader failed on the first downwind leg.

The ‘Yandoo-d’Albora Marinas’ team were able to sail back unaided and hurriedly changed down to their No 2 rig. Fortunately for them, they had a little extra time to make the change as the course had to be re-oriented due to the wind veering from 210 to 290 degrees. They were also pleased to find that the wind had increased, allowing them to make the most of the smaller rig and finish second in the two remaining races, giving them second position overall.

‘General Electric-US Challenge’ had what was for them an off day, following their disqualification with a fourth and tenth position, to finish third overall.

Tony Hannan, Cameron Macdonald and Greg Windust on ‘Total Recall’ also underperformed a little today, finishing sixth, third and then eighth in Heat 10 after they had had a gear problem on the final windward leg. Their consistency earlier in the week gave them fourth place overall.

Rob Dulson, Paul Constable and Alec McKinlay on ‘Base 1’ rounded off their series with a fourth and two sixth places, and were pleased to finish fifth overall.

Another team to to lose their earlier consistency today was ‘Radii’ sailed by Andy Richards, Steve Mitchell and Dave Richards, but they did well enough to finish sixth in the series.

This now well-established annual event was run with panache by the Yacht Club de Carnac, and was thoroughly enjoyed by the 18 footer sailors from six countries.

The event counted towards the 18 foot Skiff world ranking points, and the ‘RMW Marine’ team have now increased their lead at the head of the table. They will also be participating in the next ranking event in San Francisco at the beginning of September.

Overall Results (after 10 Heats and 2 discards)

1. ‘RMW Marine’ Rob Greenhalgh, Dan Johnson and Jonny Meers, GBR, 3 points

2. ‘Yandoo-d’Albora Marinas’ John Winning, Jack Young and Euan McNicol, AUS, 36.4 points

3. ‘General Electric-US Challenge’ Howie Hamlin, Mike Martin and Chris Cleary, USA, 52 points

4. ‘Total Recall’ Tony Hannan, Cameron Macdonald and greg Windust, AUS, 54.5 points

5. ‘Base 1’ Rob Dulson, Paul Constable and Alec McKinlay, GBR, 76.8 points

6. ‘Radii’ Andy Richards, Steve Mitchell and Dave Richards, GBR, 80.1 points

7. ‘White Stuff’ Victor Brellisford, James Grant and Dave Smith, GBR, 86.4 points

8. ‘Ernst & Young’ Jarrod Simpson, Simon Nearn and Grant Rollason, GBR, 104.7 points

9. ‘Wempe’ Flemming Clausen, Thomas Ebler and Soren Clausen, DEN, 108 points

10.’Computacenter’ Jon Bennett, Andy Jeffries and Nick Jerkins, GBR, 122 points

11.’Quantum’ Michael Pedersen, M Frderichsen and M Christiansen, DEN, 126 points

12.’Helly Hansen’ Toby Collyer, Stephen Holmewood and Keith Willis, GBR, 130.7 points