#505 – Cork Harbour pairing Brian Jones and Gary Frost sailing IRL 7771 are among a massive fleet of 188 505 dinghies contesting the world championships in La Rochelle, France. The sole Irish pairing who hail from Monkstown Bay Sailing Club lie 110th in the monster fleet after three races sailed by yesterday.
On day two of the SAP 5O5 World Championship the fleet saw yet another postponement to the racing schedule due to an extremely light South Westerly breeze. Race director Pierre Lemaire had no choice but to postpone the start and hold the 188 boat fleet on the shore to await a steady breeze. The breeze duly filled in at 4pm CET from the North West and the race committee attempted to start the first race. Two further re-starts ensued due to radical 20° wind shifts which occured half way through the rabbit starting procedure.
With the size of the fleet numbering 188 the 505 fleet employ a gate or rabbit start to give the entire fleet an equal chance during the starting phase. This start is a spectacular sight to see - 188 boats competitively starting at the same time and uses a moving rabbit boat to dictate the line instead of a stationary committee boat.
On day two of the event the current championship leaders Christian Kellner and Martin Schoeler further cemented their position at the top of the overall leaderboard by posting a second place finish in the only race of the day. The German team has shown great form having also competed in the SAP 505 Pre Worlds Regatta in La Rochelle where they finished third.
