Locals shine

Tricky conditions at the start of the Murphy and Nye 1720 Europeans

The sun was shining, but with very little breeze, the 21 boats that had assembled in St Malo for the 2006 Murphy & Nye 1720 European Championship did not leave the dock until 2 p.m. Three races were scheduled for day one but only two were sailed in extremely shifty north easterly breeze that ranged between 4 & 12 knots.

After an abandoned start, one general recall David Greenhalgh’s G&T lead to the first windward mark with current European Champion, Ruairidh Scotts’s King Quick close behind followed by Anthony O’Leary’s Wet N Ready (helmed by his son). Chris Ducker’s Flying Duckman opted to go hard right, around the outside of the leading pack, and this paid. By the first leeward mark Flying Duckman found himself out in front; a position he was able to hold until the finish line. Wet N Ready finished second with King Quick 3rd.

Chris Ducker enjoying the light and shifty conditions (his home club is on the Lake Windermere) said “ when its light I look right and head for the pressure”.

Race 2 was one for the local talent, Key Yachting SNBSM is being sailed at this event by a young team put together by Nicholas Lemarchand. Jerome Vaudelet (a local legend) is helming Patrice Ratzel is the tactician. Colin Galavan’s Lemon in second place. Wet N Ready held on to a third place despite losing their kite halyard at the first windward mark. Clearly the Winters spent wall climbing benefited Nin O’Leary’s crew who climbed the mast in seconds to recover the string.

Three races are scheduled for Wednesday.