Bundock and Ashby continue winning streak

But this time in F18s at the Eurocup in Carnac reports Bob Garcka

The forecast for the four days of Carnac was not good, with each day threatening to be blown off by multiple low pressure systems coming in from the Atlantic. As it turned out, only one day was lost to strong winds.

A fleet of 330 cats turned up for the regatta of which the largest fleet was 134 Formula 18s.

The race committee decided to run a four fleet qualifying system for the first day that would leave them with a gold and silver fleet for the final course racing. This caused a few problems for the competitors as the decision was made rather late and quite a few competitors had left the beach not realising qualifying system was being used.

On the first day, three races were held in a steady force 4 which was absolutely perfect for the F18s on a windward leeward course.

Australians Darren Bundock and Glen Ashby won the first fleet race with Dutch Larson/Van Rijn in second. Rob Garcka/Rod Winrow on Crewsaver won the second fleet, only to find out they started in the wrong fleet. This was actually won by the Dutch team of Wander Samama/Yeroen Van Leewwen with the Swiss boat Gav Colby/Cory Camenisch second.

Second race, again Bundock won his fleet with Crewsaver second (sailing in the correct race this time). The second fleet was won by Dutch team Samama/Leewwen with Brouwer/Osinga in second.

Last two fleet races of the day had Colby/Cory take the first fleet with Bundock/Ashby second, and the French Boulogne brothers winning the second fleet.

Friday was blown off due to a force 8 out in Quibron Bay.

Saturday was another perfect day for sailing and the race committee set the long distance raid around the Island of Houat, a total distance of 40 miles there and back.
Bundock/Ashby lead from start to finish with Mitch Booth/Herbie Derkson finishing second and Morniac/Citeau in third. The Crewsaver Nacra was looking good for fifth place until they pitchpoled 500 meters from the finish line dropping them to 13th. Farrow and Newman were the top Brits finishing in 10th place.

Sunday's weather was shifty force 1-4. Two races were sailed in each Gold and Silver fleet. There were no discards allowed and each race counted as double points. The scoring system managed to knock the usual top boys off the podium with the odd OCS except Bundock/Ashby. The Aussi team managed to completed their series of races by taking two bullets and winning the event overall. Second overall was Dutch team Rikkert Graat/Daan Koene and third another Dutch team Paul Brouwer/Hanne Osinga.

Top Brit was Leo Farrow/Andy Newman in 10th place.

Dave and Jo Bartlett were hit on the first day and suffered damage to them selves and their boat which dropped them into the Silver fleet where they finished second overall to the French boat Ancellin/Gautier. Third overall was David Quayle/Dave Smith.

Gold Fleet
1. AUS 1353 Bundock/Ashby 1 1 2 1 1 = 8 points
2. NED 11 Graat/Koene 4 8 5 12 6 = 53 points
3. NED 2004 Brouwer/Osinga 6 2 4 11 10 = 54 points

British placings
10. GBR 955 Farrow/Newman 19 14 9 13 20 = 108
21. GBR 90 Cotton/Cotton DNC 9 6 4 35 = 161
29. GBR 865 Chadder/Green 14 14 19 34 39 = 193
30. GBR 34 Garcka/Winrow 25 2 5 OCS 14 = 196
44. GBR 44 Worthington/Quale 7 8 OCS OCS 9 = 237
49. GBR 94 Hazard/Smith 13 31 27 DNC 22 = 251
61. GBR 589 Hutchcroft/Garcka 18 17 15 OCS BFD = 322