Cork, Ireland: The final day of the 505 Worlds again dawned with no wind, but again the wind filled in from the north-east out to sea and conditions were even better than yesterday, with the wind filling in slightly stronger and holding for longer and finally Stuart McNay and Caleb Paine won the title.
Nearly all racing was conducted in 10-12 maybe 14 knots of wind. Late in the day it did move slightly right and start to fade, but by then boats were turning onto their last upwind of the final race.
Three races again were conducted today allowing seven races in total and bringing a drop into play.
The first race of the day (Race 5) looked like there could be some movement ahead for the leader board. Stuart McNay and Caleb Paine were 7th and Batchelor/Pascoe 3rd.
The winners were Jan-Philipp Hofmann and Felix Brockerhoff in a tight battle with Roger Gilbert and Ben McGrane. Peter Nicholas and Luke Payne were part that trio, but on the last run they went furthest to the left when a little righty came down the centre of the course dropping them to 6th. The German pair of Hofmann and Brockerhoff looked like they could move up to third overall.
The second race of the day was a return to form for McNay/Paine, but Batchelor/Pascoe were a little deep. Nicholas/Payne were again near the front and this time would make no mistake finishing second. Former champions, Mike Holt and Adam Lowry, emerged from the forest they had been lost in the entire regatta to give us a flash of brilliance to pick up third.
And the final race, well it was an exhibition really. McNay and Paine just sailed away from the fleet. It was impressive! In second was the other form boat Batchelor and Pascoe with third going to Mike Martin and Adam Lowry.
The two lead boats were identical packages. Brand new Ovington V2 hulls, Pinnell and Bax sails and Superspar M2 masts.
Next year the Worlds return to the US West Coast in Santa Cruz and given the size of the US fleet here in Cork, it should be a great success.
Results and race highlights at: http://www.int505.org/2022-world-championship-cork/
Jordan Spencer
