Fifth And Final Day On Friday

The event, hosted by the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club has resulted in some exciting sailing that has not only raised some surprises but has demonstrated who the true competition within the class is.

Race 6

Race 6 was the final race of the Dragon Gold Cup and although it was not ideal sailing conditions today the final race did produce some nerve tingling moments for the leading competitors.

Jeff MARTIN, the Royal Cornwall Race Officer had an uneasy time as Falmouth Bay was shrouded in fog with a light Westerly breeze shifting and fading in the fog banks. The visibility lifted sufficiently for racing to commence at 11.30am but the fleet refused to co-operate and only started at the third attempt and then under the black flag.

The wind then started to play tricks on the competitors with a thirty-degree shift down at the leeward mark although at the windward mark it remained a fairly constant 240 degrees. Places changed throughout the race and new faces emerged at the front of the fleet as the shifts started to produce losers and winners on the course. An additional handicap were fog patches which also give the race additional interest for the spectator fleet.

The wind remained steady at the windward mark and despite much debate and discussion on the Committee Boat the race proceeded and went the full 12 miles.

It will have been a nerve racking race for the leading boats who did not manage to sail as easily in these very testing weather conditions.

Jorgen SCHOENHERR, last year’s winner was leading the event by 17 points from fellow Dane, Frank BERG, and providing he enjoyed a steady race and carded a reasonable score then the Cup would be returning to Denmark.

The lack of a discard meant Schoenherr had to race and in the history of the event a poor last race has cost several competitors the Cup. A feature of Schoenherr’s sailing this week has been his steady tactics and unflustered sailing, which has been risk free and conservative. This race was no exception and despite suffering along with several of the leading competitors being at the wrong side of several shifts a 15 place was sufficient for him to retain the Cup.

Final Results