XOD class at Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week - Day 7
by Rupert Holmes 17 Aug 2012 21:43 BST
11-18 August 2012
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The contest at the top of the XOD class is becoming increasingly close. Unlike the rest of the White Group fleets, today the class started to the west, with the strengthening tide sweeping them rapidly towards the line. At the start of their penultimate race, although Steve Lawrence's Catherine enjoyed a slim three-point lead at the head of the fleet, all three podium positions remained open.
Yesterday's winner, Jeremy Lear, John Tremlett, Richard Bullock and Richard Jord's Lass, was among the boats called over the line by the spotters on the RYS platform a couple of seconds before the gun and had to take a time penalty.
Kim Slater, Robert Bedford and Paul Chapman's Madeline emerged from the start in the best position, with Andy Shaw's Phoenix (third overall at the start of the day) nearby and also in the top three boats. However, Catherine and Stuart Jardine's Lone Star looked to be more buried in the fleet, as was Lass.
After rounding the first windward mark, Gurnard Ledge, the fleet had a cross-tide spinnaker leg to Raymarine buoy, close to the Beaulieu River. This split the fleet, with a number of the leaders allowing themselves to be swept downtide and downwind of the direct line between the marks, losing around 150 metres. This allowed Catherine to take the lead at the start of the long run against the tide to East Bramble, ahead of Alastair & Jackie Ashford and Richard Neall's Foxglove, Tom Vernon's Silhouette and Phoenix.
Catherine was still ahead at the finish, but had also a time penalty that dropped her to 18th. Next across the line was Willy McNeill and Ted Tredrea's Lara, followed four seconds later by Madeline and then Phoenix. When Lass's penalty was applied she dropped to 35th in today's race, a result she can discard.
This leaves four boats separated by only seven points at the top of the leader board going into the final race tomorrow: Phoenix (18 points) Catherine (20), Lass (23) and Lone Star (25). Any of these could win overall tomorrow – the race is certain to be an intense one.
Results after Day 7 can be found here.