King Harald ahead

Bob Fisher updates us on the IMS European Championship in Sandhamn, Sweden

King Harald V of Norway finished the day a happy man when he and his crew on the 53ft Bruce Farr-designed Fram XV scored two firsts and a second in the three inshore 6.1 mile races of the IMS European Championship.

This amazing performance was one better than the King’s subject, Einar Sissener, with his Grand Soleil 42R Al Capone III but as Sissener won the double points scoring short offshore race that began the Championship, Al Capone III narrowly leads the overall scoreboard.

There are two short races to sail on Saturday and the Eurocard Gotland Runt, with its 362 mile course, counting triple points, will conclude the Championship. Already it is proving a two-boat championship with Eskil Degsell in a similar Grand Soleil 42R in third place, 24.5 points astern of the King.