Going to the Wire

Day Five 2016 Etchells World Championship
Hosted by the Royal London Yacht Club

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(9th September, Cowes UK) The penultimate day of the Etchells World Championship produced another chapter in a highly competitive regatta. The wind was still in the upper range of 20+ knots, but a more southerly component produced gusty, shifting conditions. The wind came over the top of the Isle of Wight, accelerating across the Eastern Solent pumping shifts both left and right. Getting off the start line, into clear air, has been paramount throughout this championship. However getting the wrong side of a big shift today, could and did, undo even the best start. Two races were completed, leaving one remaining race for the last day.

John Bertrand (AUS) is in pole position, but that lead has been eroded. Noel Drennan (AUS) momentarily took the overall lead, but ended the day 8 points behind Bertrand. Stephen Benjamin (USA), maintains third, but had another day with drama, with a man overboard who was recovered. Benjamin is 11 points off the lead. In this fleet anyone of the three top teams could have a shocker tomorrow, the 2016 Etchells World Championship is going to the wire.

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