405 Danish Nationals at Sletten Sailing Club

Four British 405 crews travel to the Danish Nationals at Sletten Sailing Club © Neil McInnes

Four British 405 crews travel to the Danish Nationals at Sletten Sailing Club © Neil McInnes

Four 405 crews from the UK travelled to the Danish championship held at Sletten Sailing Club north of Copenhagen over the weekend of 21st and 22nd August. The racing was held on narrow straights between Denmark and Sweden, although there is no tide as such there are strong but unpredictable currents as water moves in or out of the Baltic.

Saturday was a bright and sunny day with a light and shifting offshore wind. The start line was laid in deep water about a mile off shore in strong current. Immediately the advantage of tacking quickly onto port and heading for the shallower area inshore became clear. The leading boats made this choice with Emil Landry (DEN202) winning from William Twemlow and Andy Bath (GBR360) then Mark Landry (DEN337).

The second and third races both featured very strong current on the starting line with all boat struggling to maintain position. Twemlow and Bath won both races.

Whilst the wind direction did not change for Sunday the strength increased considerably making challenging conditions for all the crews. Until the final run, race 4 was lead by Sophie White and Sophie Tuckwood (GBR362). Sophie gybed halfway down the run but Mark Landry (DEN 337) and William Twemlow continued on starboard to the lay line to the finish. Sophie had to gybe twice more by which time all three boats were within 2 metres of each other. The final order being 360, 337, then 362.

Races 5 and 6 were sailed in increasing wind, both races were won by Sophie White and Sophie Tuckwood who put on a masterful display of heavy weather sailing.

The overall event was won by William Twemlow and Andy Bath from the UK with a 2,1,1,1,2,7 scoreline.

Overall Results: