Day two of the Musto Skiff Gold Cup

The points get tight at the top

Day two of the Musto Performance Skiff Gold Cup was sailed in light winds. With a small North to South flowing current, and a sea breeze that steadily shifted right all day, the sailors had to make good tactical decisions to stay at the front.

Race four saw Ant Chapman lead the fleet around the course. Ant´s father Tim has been a skiff sailor from the early days, and I am sure he was proud to see his son at the front. He kept a cool head in the hot Mediterranean sun and slowly pulled ahead to win comfortably. Ian Trotter continued his consistent form to finish second, with Paul Clememts third.

Race five started in a similar light breeze, and it was Simon Reynolds who showed good speed on the first beat, along with Pablo Arandia to lead at the windward mark. It was interesting to watch some of the fleet taking the advice of their earlier coaching with Mark to make tactical downwind gains. Simon Reynolds held off Pablo Arandia, Paul Clements and Ian Trotter to take a well deserved win.

By Race six the wind had increased slightly, and not for the first time this week, the fleet got away at the second time of asking with the biggest gains coming on the first beat by people taking the pin advantage, and then tacking onto port to gain from any right shift in the sea breeze. Kit Stenhouse, Pablo Arandia and Ian Trotter all rounded the windward mark close together, and shared the lead on the downwind leg. Ian Trotter gaining the advantage and covering the fleet up the second beat and down the final run to take the win.

It was noticeable how close the fleet were today, and it was good to see close racing throughout.

Provisional positions after six races:

1-Ian Trotter GBR168
2-Richard Stenhouse GBR 209
3-Pablo Arandia ESP 150
4-Rick Perkins GBR 162
5-Ian Renilson GBR 128