5.5 Metre Class World Championship at Yacht Club de l’Odet: A Premier Sailing Event
5.5 Metre Class World Championship at Yacht Club de l’Odet – Day 3
29 August – 7 September 2024
Aspire (Przemek Gacek, Mateusz Kusznierewicz and Kilian Weise) showcased incredible skill, winning the fifth race of the championship. The race concluded in an exciting and competitive downwind leg where many boats finished in close proximity to each other.
Artemis (Kristian Nergaard, Johan Barne, and Trond Solli-Saether) narrowly secured second place, managing to overtake Ku-Ring-Gai III (John Bacon, Joost Houweling, and Edward Wright) in the final stretch of the race. Notably, the Polish team has managed to secure two race wins despite inconsistent performances, now benefiting from the discard rule which allows them to omit their previous 14th place finish.
The sixth race, marked by a general recall, was characterized by increasing winds reaching up to 20 knots at the finish. In sharp contrast to the earlier race, The Jean Genie (Peter Morton, Andrew Palfrey, Ruairidh Scott) secured a commanding victory by starting strong and extending their lead throughout the course.
“It was great to finally see winds exceeding 10 or 11 knots,” stated Morton. “The boat excels in stronger breezes, although we tend to struggle in lighter winds, which was evident in the earlier race today.”
Ku-Ring-Gai III demonstrated consistency, finishing third in race six and fourth in race five. Now leading the overall competition with 14 points, Bacon shared insights about the day’s challenges. “It was a tricky day with nice wind, though we struggled with our starts,” he noted.
When asked about consistency in the fleet, he remarked, “There isn’t really any secret. The boat is performing well; we have a new crew, and despite not being together last year, we found success at the Alpen Cup and are relishing our time here.”
Aspire is now just two points behind Ku-Ring-Gai III, with Artemis in third at 22 points. The Jean Genie and Ali Baba (Flavio Marazzi, Julie Marazzi, and Eline Marazzi) are tied in fourth place, both accumulating 25 points, with Ali Baba achieving her best result in the championship so far by securing second place in race six.
The competitive nature of the 5.5 Metre World Championship is evident, with numerous teams still in contention for the overall title as the event progresses towards its conclusion.
In the Evolution division for older boats, ChlikaChlikaChlika (Antonin Radue, Pascal Radue, and Patrick Huguenin) is leading. Pascal shared, “We had two strong races today, successfully navigating the water better than yesterday. Although this boat has had a long hiatus and was nearly lost, we are learning to sail it together with friends and family, focusing on rejuvenating this classic vessel.”
Racing continues throughout the week at the Yacht Club de l’Odet located in beautiful south Brittany.
Sarah Mitchell, an experienced sailor and marine journalist from Sydney, has nurtured a love for the ocean throughout her life. After earning a degree in Marine Journalism from the University of Sydney, Sarah quickly made a name for herself with her compelling and vivid storytelling. Her work captures the thrill of sailing and the unique culture of maritime life, making her a respected figure in the sailing community. Outside of writing, Sarah spends her time exploring Australia’s stunning coastlines and competing in local regattas, always on the lookout for her next great adventure.