Canadians Secure Comprehensive Soling Worlds Victory

Canada’s Peter Hall, Paul Davis and Williams Hall had already wrapped up the Soling World Championship title with a race to spare in Lake Michigan, USA.

The winning trio sat out of the final race with a north westerly 20 knot breeze on the menu for the last day of racing.

With the remainder of the podium places yet to be decided it was between Hans Fogh, John Finch and Gordon Devries (CAN) and Billy Abbott, Joanne Abbott and Tom Freeman (CAN) in the final race. Fogh took the initiative at the start and took the lead around the first windward mark ahead of Abbott and the Brazilian boat skippered by Nelson Ilha.

Abbott had a two point advantage over Fogh coming into the final race however Abbott was kept at bay by two American crews who finished split Abbott, who finished the final race in sixth, and Fogh, who came third to take the silver medal spot by one point.

The Canadians reigned supreme throughout the week for a clean sweep of the podium.

The Grand Master bowl, awarded to skippers older than 65, was won for the second time by Hans Fogh.

The Paul Elvstrom Trophy, awarded to the best helmsperson under 28, was won by Whitney Kent accompanied by her crew Cate Muller and Ashley Henderson, the first time the award had been won by a woman.

The Classic trophy awarded to the best boat placed at the event built prior to 1 January 1980 was awarded to USA853 sailed by Matias Collins, Eric Nowina and Dominik Meissner, the team sailed former USA 717 a boat completed on 6 June 1979.

The next continental event for the Soling Class will be in November with the South American Championship and the participation of teams from Germany, Norway, USA, Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay.