Close racing on Day 1 of Viking 18ft skiff grand prix

Frank Quealey, Australian 18 Footers League

Posted: 31 Jul. 2010

Pica looked good early on

Light winds on Day 1 of the Viking 18ft Skiff Grand Prix at Sonderborg, Denmark, resulted in all teams going for their big No. 1 rigs for the day’s three races.

There was an anticipated battle between three of the top teams at the recent German Grand Prix.

German Grand Prix winner Pica (James Mears, Stewart Mears, Andy Ramus) of the UK, European champion Liberty Sailing Team (Miklos Ujhelyi-Gaspar, Matyas Majthenyl, Zsomber Szepfy) of Hungary, and the local Danish champion GP Covers (Flemming Clausen, Soren Clausen, Thomas Ebler).

At the end of Day 1’s racing, GP Covers had recorded two wins (Races 1 and 2) and a third placing in Race 3, to lead with a net total of 2 points, ahead of Liberty Sailing Team on 3 points.

Liberty Sailing Team’s results were progressively improving each race with third and second placings ahead of a win in Race Three.

Pica was in third place on 5 points, followed by Germany’s pair Euro Link (Friedrich Renner) on 6 and Magic Marine (Norbert Peter) on 10.

The forecast for Day Two is for stronger winds which should see all teams go for their smaller No. 2 rigs.

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