Dutch and French contingent are battling at the F18 Worlds

If yesterday the breeze was scarce, day 4 of racing was the complete opposite, with three races for both ‘gold’ and ‘silver’ groups held under grey skies that threatened rain from early in the day, and provided a true display of the spectacular speed and prowess of the best catamaran sailors in the world.

The gold group headed out for the race course mid-morning with south-westerlies blowing 8-11 knots and swiftly rising as the fleet moved into the windward mark just in front of the Playa de Ladeira in Baiona. A favoured left under Monte Louredo gave those ashore a sight for sore eyes as the 66-strong fleet battled it out for solid positions at the top.

A fantastic day for Mitch Booth and Pim Nieuwenhuis, who gave some absolutely beautiful starts for NED 1 at the Committee Boat end and proving that the F18 legend was in his element as the breeze continued to rise, peaking at 18-20 knots at the top mark. A first and two thirds has moved the twice Olympic medallist and three times F18 World Champion from 16th to 5th place on the leader board.

Close on his heels was young Dutch team Coen de Koning and Jeroen van Leeuwen whose steady performance throughout the championship has moved them into a solid lead; two second places and an 8th ensures them a 25 point advantage at the top.

Admittedly happier in stronger breeze the French duo of Jean-Christophe Mourniac and Franck Citeau had a disappointing first race but moved up and forwards, to grab a second place in race 3 and in the general classification overall.

Consistency is the name of the game, as proven by fellow Frenchmen Vaireaux and Petit, even 2nd with FRA 11 at 48 points, with multi-hull magician Franck Cammas and Jeremy Lagarrigue dropping to 3rd.

As the cold front moved over and out of the Bay of Baiona, sunshine briefly put in appearance, enough to highlight two spectacular performances from British Olympic Tornado and X40 sailor Hugh Styles and Adam Piggott, whose two first places have moved them to 5th.

Tough competition indeed for speedy Dutch duo Mischa Heemskerk and Bastiaan Tentij who are now in 9th and will have some work on their hands tomorrow for the final day of the championship.

As the Gold group retired, it was the turn of the second ‘Silver’ 66 classified who were to face the brutish reality of the Galician elements at their very best. It was clear from race one that the wind gods were back with a vengeance as gusts of up to 28 knots swept the course at times.

A true test of nerves, strength and control as conditions worsened and a number of capsized boats dotted the bay, including several casualties with broken masts and other material damage.

Solid performances from British team Martin and Sam Chadder, silver leaders, followed by SWE 49 sailors Fredrik Karlsson and Gustaf Nyblaeus and Dutch team Coert and Marius van Dam in third.