Swinton takes top spot

Racing remains extremely close at the top of the leaderboard in the Warren Jones Youth Regatta

Perth skipper Keith Swinton has retaken the top spot on the leaderboard after the third day of the Warren Jones Youth Regatta, putting six more wins on the scoreboard, and only one loss.

It is still very tight at the top as they go into the final day on Thursday, with three skippers sharing second place, and a further two, just one point behind in fifth place.

With Swinton having 14 points on the scoreboard, New Zealanders Adam Minoprio and Graeme Sutherland share second place with Sydney's Seve Jarvin on 13 points.

Fremantle Sailing Club's Torvar Mirsky and British skipper Alastair Hall, of the RYA's Volvo Keelboat Squad, are level with 12 points.

This regatta has been a roller-coaster ride for Keith Swinton, who represents the South of Perth Yacht Club, "we just went out there in the morning with good attitude," was his answer to the revival of his fortunes.

Having led at the end of the first day, then had a bad second day, he won six races out of seven sailed today, "we made sure we competed hard for everything," he said, "we're pretty tired now though, it's been a long day."

Graeme Sutherland, who took over the top rung of the leaderboard after the second day said, "it started out well today, then we just fell off towards the end a little bit.

"It was good racing, we enjoyed the conditions, the team's coming together well, we just need to put the wins in the bag, I guess, it's getting quite tight towards the top."

Adam Minoprio, whose brother won this event in 2004 and 2005, has climbed back into contention after a poor first day, and with improving form is hoping to keep the trophy in the family.

The racing was conducted in the familiar Perth weather pattern, with the first flight of the day sailed on a light and shifty south easterly, before the seabreeze filled in, building to 15 knots.

Results:

1-Keith Swinton - AUS, 14 - 4
2-Graeme Sutherland - NZL, 13 - 4
2-Adam Minoprio - NZL, 13 - 4
2-Seve Jarvin - AUS, 13 - 4
5-Torvar Mirsky - AUS, 12 - 6
5Alastair Hall - GBR, 12 - 6
7-Murray Gordon - AUS, 10 - 8
8-Robert Gibbs - AUS, 7 - 12
9-Alexis Littoz-Baritel - FRA, 5 - 13
9-Mark Dorling - AUS, 5 - 13
11-Tom Barker - AUS, 3 - 14
12-Rob Scrivenor - AUS, 0 - 17