Chernikeeff Sailing Regatta - Olympic Trials Day 6 - Soling

• Organised by the Royal Yachting Association
• With the co-operation of the South West Regional Development Authority and the Yacht Clubs of Weymouth
• Based at Weymouth and Portland Sailing Academy
• Photographs ©: Mark Pepper/ Marinepics

The Soling Class racing at the Chernikeeff Regatta - Olympic Trials, got underway today in perfect match racing conditions. A steady South West force 2-3 blew all day allowing the race officials to make up for the racing lost yesterday. Both of the initial two round robin stages were completed, along with the first two races of each semi-final.

The three top crews, skippered by Andy Beadsworth, Andy Green and Ian Williams soon established their places in the semi-finals by comprehensively defeating the other three contenders in each of their races. Racing between the top three seeds was far closer, with the umpires often called into action.

Pre-regatta favourites, Andy Beadsworth, Richard Sydenham and Barry Parkin, sailing 'United Airlines', enjoyed a successful day, winning each of their races. Bowman Barry Parkin commented," We managed to win each race today, despite losing the pre-starts in our races against Andy and Ian. Our boathandling, particularly in tacking duels, always allowed us to regain the lead. When we start winning the pre-starts, then we'll be really dangerous".

Andy Green and Ian Williams had some very close races against each other throughout the day, rarely separated by more than a boat length. Having taken one race apiece in the round robin stages, they had a sail-off for second and third place, which Ian Williams won, before taking the first two races in the semi-final. Ian commented " We were relatively happy today, particularly with our starts and our upwind sailing. Against Andy (Beadsworth) one silly mistake cost us each race. We're quite happy to have finished with three straight wins against Andy Green, although we must not start thinking about the final too early as he'll come back stronger tomorrow".

Andy Green, who has had a relatively short time to get accustomed to the Soling having only recently returned from America's Cup work with the Abracadabra syndicate, showed his class in the pre-starts today but struggled to maintain his advantage against the other top competitors. He remarked "We won all of our pre-starts today, but it's hard to compete when we've had so little time in the boat compared to Andy and Ian. We feel that we've helped to raise the standard at these trials and hope that whoever wins here goes on to get a medal in Sydney".

In the other races, former Olympian Phil Crebbin was edged out by David Bedford in a sail-off for the final semi-final spot.

Andy Beadsworth Report:

We have not sailed particularily well, loosing most of the starts against Williams and Green. However superior boat handling and good speed down wind took the pressure off us. Winning most races comfortably in the End. Green and Williams are having close Matches but generally Ian Williams is winning the starts. Andy Green has put him under pressure down wind and taken a Match off him. The day is long and difficult to get up for the big matches after cruising around for most of the day. The racing should be more intense tomorrow which will help us I am sure.

Finish the Semi's tomorrow. Best of 7 then finals will start but will not be finished till Monday. We are confident of winning and if we can get motivated will not be beaten in a Match.

Full results can be found at: www.chernikeeff.co.uk/sailing.html
Further information on RYA Team GBR can be found at: www.sailforgold.co.uk

More Information on the RYA from:
Email: nigel.cherrie@rya.org.uk

RYA Team GBR sponsors:
World Class Performance: www.uksport.gov.uk
Sail for Gold: www.sailforgold.co.uk
Chernikeeff: www.chernikeeff.co.uk/sailing.html
Douglas Gill: www.douglasgill.com
South West RDA: www.southwestrda.org.uk