Dutch Victory At Mermaid Match Race

Teams from six different countries came to Seaview, Isle of Wight over the weekend of 19-20 April to compete in the ISAF Grade 3 Mermaid Match Racing Championships.

A narrow win for the Dutchman Jurjen FEITSMA over Frenchman Louis CLAEYSSENS resulted from a round robin between ten teams in which each team sails each other. In third place was Christian HAMILTON of Great Britain.

Competitors working their way up the ISAF World Match Race Rankings come to these events to gain the points on the basis of the results.

On the first day the strong easterly winds and heavy seas made it impossible to start the competition but milder conditions on the second day enabled the Race Committee to gets five races running at the same time almost continuously throughout the day. The last flight of races had to be abandoned due to grey skies, lightening and the need for competitors to catch flights home. Nonetheless a result was declared on the basis of each competitor sailing eight races and tankards donated by Goddards, the Island brewers, were presented to the winner. The sailing season for the Sea View Mermaids has now begun with these 26-foot racing yachts having a programme of sailing planned every day until mid-September.

Results – click here