Cliffhanger

Adam May and Simon Payne tied for lead of Moth 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 Simon Payne and Adam May are tied on 10 points while Rohan Veal has 20, Mark Robinson 26, Jason Belben and Sam Pascoe 31.

Race 4 started in 10 knot marginal foiling conditions giving the lowriders in the fleet a chance to shine. Patrick Ruf took full advantage up the first beat managing a creditable 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 Simon 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 8th. With the wind increasing lap two ended with Simon leading followed by , Adam, Jason, Sam, Mark, Rohan. These six were tightly bunched (at 18 knots) and changed places frequently. The finishing order was Adam,
Jason, Mark, Sam, Rohan.

Race 5 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, Simon, Adam and Jason. Rohan held his lead to the bottom mark followed by Simon, Adam, Mark, Jason and Sam. By the finish Adam had taken Simon and Sam had taken Jason.

Race 6 The leading foilers all opted 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, Simon followed by Rohan. Downwind Rohan and Adam passed Simon 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.