2019 FAST40+: all to play for in the One Ton Cup

The penultimate day of the 2019 One Ton Cup featured two races with downwind starts and round the buoys courses. The downwind spinnaker action was pulsating, an incredible sight, as the fleet took off from the get-go. After two previous days of full on racing, the third day featured more brilliant sunshine but a lighter breeze. PRO Stuart Childerley reported an average wind speed of 10 knots with a much steadier direction just south of east and a flatter sea state. Niklas Zennstrom's Rán won both of today's races to open up a four point lead for the One Ton Cup. Peter Morton's Girls on Film recovered from a poor start to fight back to third in Race 7, and scored a second in Race 8, to stay in touch with Rán. Tony Dickin's Jubilee scored 2-3 today to move up to third for the regatta, a tense battle for the third is a certainty for tomorrow, the winner of the One Ton Cup is likely to be a shoot-out between Rán and Girls on Film.

Race Seven: With a downwind start on Port, Jubilee made a Starboard attack at the Committee Boat end of the line, which paid off handsomely with Jubilee taking up a controlling windward position. Rán got a cracking start at the pin end and pulled away throughout the race, winning by a comfortable margin. Jubilee was second their best result so far. Girls on Film, fighting back through the fleet, passed Steve Cowie's Zephyr at the penultimate mark to take third.

“Stuart Childerley set an interesting line and with a downwind start on Port positioning was absolutely key.” commented Jubilee's Tony Dickin. “We decided to come in on Starboard, which was Mark Lees' idea. It caused a few nervous moments for our competitors on Port, and we gybed onto Port just before the gun. We were on top of the fleet and could reach down to get a great position. With all those boats around you doing 17 knots, you have to stay very focused on what your boat is doing. There is no room for error, but it is extremely exciting. Going into tomorrow it is still all to play for and we have to make both races count.”

Race 8: The final race of the day featured another downwind start, this time with the breeze fading to no more than ten knots. Rán and Girls on Film got away well to open up a lead right from the start. The chasing pack closed in on the leaders towards the end of the first leg. However Rán took the race win by 80 seconds from Girls on Film. Filip Engelbert's Elvis won a big battle for third.

Quotes from the boats

Peter Morton – Owner/Driver Girls on Film

Rán is in a pretty good place after today, they had a really good day; two fantastic starts and they sailed very well. Unless they make a mistake it is pretty tough to beat them. They are a good team, they sail well, and they have a fast boat. Normally you need one of those to be weak to beat them. We are in the money, and who knows what could happen. It is interesting to see how close the rest of the fleet are. Rán and us have a bit of a jump on the rest of the fleet but there is very little between third and seventh. It is tough in the mix, all the boats are getting better.”

Steve Cowie – Owner Zephyr

“There are five boats still in a shout for third place, we have all been up and down a bit over the last three days, but there are still two races and anything can happen. Coming to a different venue is a bit of a leveller. The first day was very much a bit of a lottery but for the last two days, if you have sailed well you have got the results, and if you have not sailed well, you have been sorely punished. It is all to play for and that is what makes the class so brilliant.”