American victory in 2.4mR Worlds

Scandone takes win ahead of Berlin and Lucas in Elba, Italy

2.4mR World Championship 2005, held by Circolo della Vela Marciana Marina with the main sponsorship of Kia Motors came on Saturday without sailing any other race. The wind was too light to fire the start of the two races left so the Race Committee at 02.00hrs as agreed in SI decided to hoist the IC flag over AP to abandon all races.

The American disabled sailor Nick Scandone is the 2005 World Champion and takes home the 'World Cup Trophy' and the Queen Silvia Cup. Finishing in second place was the Swedish past World Champions, Stellan Berlin while the third is British paralympic sailor Helena Lucas.

The first day of the event saw 10-15 knots and big swell out on the course which proved to be discouraging to some sailors; however, the remainder of the regatta was dominated by a light 6-8 knots which continually shifted direction throughout the day. “We came out a week early to do a bit of training.” Adam May, RYA 2.4 metre coach explained. “The team were prepared for the conditions and seemed to be unfazed by the challenges that the wind presented.”

The highlight of the regatta for Team GBR was Lucas’s strong performance climaxing in a first place in the final race and in third overall. In the final race Lucas led around the top mark with fellow British sailor Megan Pascoe in second and Dutch sailor Ruud Van Holsteyn following in a close third. Lucas managed to extend her lead but at the bottom mark Van Holsteyn managed to maneuver himself away from Pascoe and slide into second place. Lucas took the win and Megan Pascoe who had a notable performance went on to finish in a respectable third place and in 20th overall.

Lucas and the fourth placed sailor Thierry Schmitter finished with equal points; however Lucas scored more top finishes than the Dutch sailor pushing her into third.

An elated Lucas commented, “After finishing in a disappointing fourth at the IFDS Worlds it feels really good to finish in the top three here in Italy. The competition this year was much tighter with a really close top ten. There were a lot of familiar faces out on the water but everyone seemed to be on their game and really going for it. I came out here to prove to myself that I can sail at the top level and that I can finish with a medal and I have done that. It’s just an awesome feeling and a big relief to have done so well.”

“The team should be really pleased with the way they have sailed in this event.” Adam May explained. “Every sailor improved on last years results which is an accomplishment even if you don’t finish on the podium.”

Results
1, Nick Scandone, USA (10,(13),3,3,1,3,1,4) 25 pts
2, Stellan Berlin, SWE (7,3,(15),6,9,1,3,6) 35 pts
3, Helena Lucas, GBR (3,11,9,(12),6,2,6,1) 38 pts

GBR
20, Megan Pascoe (17,(49),33,9,17,26,36,3) 141 pts
24, George Barker (22,28,4,42,(49),30,21,12) 159 pts
30, Michael Cogswell (52,20,34,2,23,(56),22) 192 pts
34, Andrew Millband (23,45,(dsq),43,40,40,19,16) 226 pts
42, Allan Smith (30,56,37,48,22,(59),47,34) 274 pts