The French crew of Le Grand Reservoir.Mazet & Associas, skippered by Achille Nebout, has moved to the top of the leader board after race nine of the SB20 Worlds on Hobart’s River Derwent.
With three races left to sail today and tomorrow, the championship remains wide open with just 10 points between the first boat and fourth boat.
Kit Fisto
Nebout steered his boat into a close third place in race nine, giving the French team a net total of 46 points, taking the overall lead from the British boat Xcellent (John Pollard) on 55 points after finishing 24th.
British sailors notched up another race win, with Richard Powell’s Marvel taking the honours in race nine, lifting them to third in standings with a net 56 point.
Also on a net 56 points, after a ninth today, is Give Me 5 – French Youth team. They are now ranked fourth.
Tasmanian Michael Cooper in Export Roo is fighting back moving to fifth place overall on a net 63 point, still within gaining a top place in this fiercely fought battle on the Derwent.
Australian champion Aeolus (Brett Cooper) finished 19th in race nine and has dropped from fourth to sixth in standings.
Marvel
Race ten is underway after a delay due to wind shifts and at the finish of this race a second discard will come into effect, possibly with some significant changes in overall positions.
Words: Peter Campbell
Photos: Jane Austin
1600AEST/10 January 2018
