Stenhouse wins again

There is now only one more event left untill the Musto Skiff World Championship

Despite an awful forecast 23 Musto Skiffs arrived at Whitstable Yacht Club on Saturday 12 May and were greeted by the predicted 30 knots of breeze. The race officer soon came to the conclusion that boats were best left on shore, particularly as Sunday's forecast was looking more promising.

Race one on Sunday got underway in around eight knots. Ex Solo National Champion, Dan Vincent, showed early promise by leading the fleet round the windward mark, closely pursued by Kit Stenhouse. With the breeze building, boat handling skills started to come into play which didn't work in Vincent's favour. His capsize allowed Kit to capitalise on the lead she had earlier taken and Rick Perkins to pull through into second. Michael Palfreman from Starcross was third.

Race two and the breeze was now allowing flat out trapezing. Rich Stenhouse started his campaign in clear air at the port end and a perfectly timed tack on the port layline. Rick Perkins continued where he'd left off in the last race and put in a solid second place. Behind him, third was being fought over by Andy Peake, Daniel Henderson and Mark Addison. Peake prevailed after some very close racing down the second run.

Race three and still all to play for. Stenhouse rounded first, followed by Dave Poston. Poston was coming under increasing pressure from Peake who managed to overhaul him down the second run. The finishing order did not change.

The final race saw the breeze increase and started with a port bias line. Several of the front runners struggled off the line, which saw some new faces at the first windward mark. Neil Ashby and Dave Poston fought over the lead, until they were caught and overtaken by Stenhouse. Behind them, Peake and Perkins were battling for fourth place in the race for second overall. The race finished with Rich Stenhouse stamping his authority on the event, Poston second and Ashby third. Peake overhauled Perkins down the last run, but had only done enough to finish on equal points. This left him third in
the overall standings. Perkins grabbed second and Stenhouse took first position.

Thanks must go to Whitstable Yacht Club, who came to a very quick conclusion on Saturday's abandonment and put on four great races on Sunday. Thanks must also go to Aquastraps, who supported the event with some of their new safety toe loops. After receiving theirs, Tim Chapman and Tony Coulson can pitch pole at will without fear of a broken ankle!

The Musto Skiff fleet is brimming with excitement and anticipation at the imminent World Championships in Lake Garda in just five weeks and with only one more event to go it is difficult to see a credible challenger to Rich Stenhouse from the UK. It will be down to the rest of the World to mix things up a little.

Results:
1- Helly Hansen Richard Stenhouse
2- Harken Rick Perkins
3-Andy Peake
4-Blue Marine' Daniel Henderson
5-Gareth Davies