RS800 Europeans at Fraglia Vela Riva, Lake Garda after Day 4

RS800 Europeans at Lake Garda day 4 © Elena Giolai

RS800 Europeans at Lake Garda day 3 © Elena Giolai

RS800 Europeans at Lake Garda day 4 © Elena Giolai

Day 3

There were a few lost souls and empty stomachs this morning with plenty of tales to tell following on from the crews vs helms union battle in the bar last night – as Wincy put it ‘you know it's a big night when you loose your flip-flops!'. However the main discussion in the dinghy park was all about what the wind would do today, even ‘The Ancient' in the committee boat was unable to explain the early disappearance of the wind yesterday.

Launching in 30 degrees heat and no wind, it was hard to believe we'd have 3 long races in 20+ knots. By the time the boats reach the racecourse the Ora had arrived and this time it was here to stay. Race 3 got underway with several boats pushing the line hard, Dave Hivey and James Barlow in SailingTogs.com had the perfect start hitting the cliffs first and leading in to the windward; after bailing out around the pin end off the start line, James Date and Toby Wincer in RWO showed they have true pace and picked up on a left shift to follow Dave and James in to the mark. Justin and Emma Deal also had their heads out the boat and were in third. A close race followed for all but James and Toby were able to maintain their lead all the way to the line, Stevie Wilson and Alan Sign made a late charge to cross the line second however their efforts were to no avail as they were over the start line – Stevie ‘were we covered?' Alan, ‘NO!'. This meant that Dan Kilsby and Bart Bridgen took second place with Dave and James, who had recovered well from a capsize, in third.

Race 4 was more of the same, close racing as boats tacked on the shifts up the cliff before making the call for the lay line, made tricky by the shifting wind out in the centre of the lake. After a stutter in race one, it was business as usual for Stevie and Alan who took line honors, Dave and James sailed well and come in second with Ben Schooling and George Kingsnorth in third.

Race 5 was more of the same for Stevie and Alan who managed to avoid the camera boat and led from start to finish, Dave and James, RWO and Nick Charles and Christian Humphrey had were engaged in an epic battle for the following places. The non-pros were all showing signs of tiring by the end of the last race, Dave and James once again showing their form to take second from Nick and Christian in third. Andy Jeffries and Dan Allin made a late comeback to catch the leading pack but in the end were unable to pass RWO who finished in fourth.

Tonight looks like it will be a quiet one, most people are broken by the combination of a great night out followed by a better days sailing (‘I may never get out of this chair' – James Date), a little R&R is needed ready to do it all again tomorrow.

Day 4

If day 3 was epic, day 4 can only be described as the ultimate foam off! The Ora arrived half an hour earlier than the previous day today, kicking in with white horses galloping down the lake leaving no uncertainty over rig set up for those still left on the shore.

The race committee wasted no time in getting the racing under way, the wind gusting 27 knots it was all on for young and old, fresh and wise alike – ‘you know it's windy when your eyelids start flapping' (Andy Jeffries). With racing in the usual spot under the western cliffs it was once again all about getting a good start and hitting the cliffs at speed. It was the usual crowd once again making an appearance, the only acception being Dave Hivey and James Barlow in SailingTogs.com who had a port / starboard incident coming off the start line resulting in a ripped mainsail. There were plenty of spills throughout the fleet meaning the race was anyone's to take, in the end Stevie Wilson and Alan Sign establishing an unassailable lead to take the victory from Andy Jeffries and Dan Allin in second. James Date and Toby Wincer finishing third and an impressive effort from the first lady with Justin and Emma Deal in fourth.

With the pressure building, conditions for the second race were marginal, the decision was to continue racing but with 2 rather than 3 laps. Race 2 got under way with shifting breeze confusing half the fleet. SailingTogs.com came off the port end and made use of a lift heading to the cliffs to lead in to the first mark. Stevie and Alan took the lead back down the first run as SailingTogs.com capsized at the gybe point. With the windy conditions, there were plenty of places changing throughout the remainder of the race. Luke and Emma McEwen sailed well to cross the finish line in second only to find out they were OCS meaning that Ben Schooling and George Kingsnorth took second for race two followed by Ed Chapman and Sarah Martin in third. Special mention goes to RWO who were just too plain lazy to finish the race after nailing the committee boat off the start line!

By the time Race 3 got going the fleet had significantly reduced in size, 16 boats failed to make the start line, some snapping masts, several falling through sails and some just plain exhausted. Once again it was the usual crowd fighting it out at the top with places changing constantly as even the most experienced ended up with the stick in the water, some more than once. RWO led at the first mark but got caught in an unusual lull under the cliffs allowing Stevie Wilson and Alan Sign once again put the rest to shame - Alan's incentive of Jelly Babies proving enough to encourage Stevie around the rest of the course. RWO used the energy saved from race two to good effect and took second for race three followed by Dan Kilsby and Bart Bridgen in third.

There'll be plenty of chatter tonight as the social kicks off in the Yacting Porto bar down at the waterfront. Current bar discussion is of new F1 style class rules, including a ban on testing and training throughout the season, penalties for anyone in Skandia kit and no arms behind the head (DRS) upwind – especially for the pros!.

Racing tomorrow looks set to be another spectacular day, only 1 point seperates third to sixth with first and second still very much undecided everyone still has it all to play for... bring it on!!

Results after Day 4: