Penultimate day

The International Moth fleet are all ready for a close final day at their Europeans on Lake Garda

Garda provided the best day's racing so far today for twenty five Moths contesting the European championship. At the end of the punultimate day Si Payne and Adam May are tied on 10 points. Rohan veal has 20, Mark Robinson 26, Jason Belben and Sam Pascoe are both on 31.

Race four started in 10 knot marginal foiling conditions giving the lowriders in the fleet a chance to shine. Patrick Ruf took full advamtage up the first beat managing a creditabel fourth at the top mark. But the leading foilers started on port tack and headed for the famous Garda cliffs, where the wind accelerates giving them the speed they need to lift off. At the first mark Si Payne led Mark Robinson then Adam May, Patrik, and world champion Rohan veal.

Downwind Adam took Mark and Rohan was passed by Jason Belben, Linton Jenkins and Sam Pascoe. Patrick dropped to eighth. With the wind increasing lap two ended Si, Adam, Jason, Sam, Mark, Rohan. These six were tightly bunched in the now 18 knot wind, and changed places frequently. The finishing order was Adam, Jason, Mark, Sam and Rohan.

Race five started in a perfect 15 knots. The port end of the line was favoured and offered the fastest route into the windy cliffs on port tack. At the top mark Rohan led from Mark, Si, Adam and Jason. Rohan held his lead to the bottom mark followed by Si, Adam, Mark, Jason and Sam. By the finish adam had taken Si and Sam had taken Jason.

Race six saw the leading foilers all opting for the pin end port tack start, disrupted briefly by Simon Propper making a well timed starboard start in the same spot screaming 'starboard hotshots'. By the windward mark it was business as usual, Si followed by Rohan. Downwind Rohan and Adam passed Si which is how they stayed for lap two but on the final lap adam pulled through to win from Si and Rohan then Mark, Sam and Jason.