#National Yacht Club Skiff youth pairing, Sean and Tadhg Donnelly struggled yesterday in the Gold fleet of the 29er 29er Skiff Worlds in Denmark. The pair were 26th in Tuesday's massive 216–boat fleet thus making the gold fleet cut, but a black flag penalty score in the opening rounds of the finals on Wednesday has put them in 49th out of 53 in highly competitive surroundings.
This morning the weather forecast in Aarhaus is poor with no wind and rain, so the RC has hoisted the AP with no races to start until 3pm.
With the fleet now split into Gold, SIlver, Bronze and Emerald, competition heated up with every race on the line. Three races were held on the four courses simultaneously but with differing winds as they were spread across Kaløvig Bay
With a noon start for all, the first races were held in light to moderate breeze on the Bronze and Emerald courses while the Silver and Gold had 6-8 knots. Two small rain squalls crossed the course bringing rain, increased wind with puffs to 18, and shifty conditions for the sailors and Race Committee to monitor. Once the squalls had passed the wind dropped again below 10 knots with enough to complete the scheduled races.
On the Gold course Aussies Jim Colley and Shaun Connor sailed consistently with a 6-3-4 today and sit atop the leader board. Americans Campbell D'Eliscu and Connor Kelter, also consistent throughout the qualifying and first day of the finals sit in second overall. The team of the day was Ida Svensson and Rasmus Rosengren (SWE) who carried a 36th position from qualifying for their initial score, but sailed a 8-9-3 to move them into 5th overall. Previous regatta leaders Lucas Rual and Emile Amoros (FRA) fell to third after a 16th in the last race.
Only one point separates the top two all-female teams in the Gold fleet with Ruth Allan and Alice Masterman (GBR) ahead of sisters Ragna and Maia Agerup (NOR).
Leaders of the other fleets are: Silver - Don and Dylan Whitcraft (THA); Bronze - Joshua Belben and Robert Masterman (GBR); Emerald - Marco and Matteo Bucalossi (ITA).
After racing, the sailors were able to meet 2008 49er Gold Medallist Martin Kirketerp (DEN) and try on the medal for a photo with future aspirations of their own in the 49er or 49erFX.
Twenty-five nations are representing all continents with 213 entries in this highly competitive fleet.
The finals continue on Thursday, August 1 followed by one more day of the final series. The prizegiving will be held on Friday, August 2. Live reports and daily results: www.29erworlds.org; Facebook: Int 29er Class.
