Southworth wins in the Middle East

A report from the Omega Bahrain Match Racing championship

Three-time J/24 European Champion, Ian Southworth, has won the Omega Bahrain Match Racing championship, held at the Bahrain Saling Club, Al Jazira beach.

The event, raced in matched J/24s, was delayed for one day as 25 knot winds unexpectedly blew across the course area. Their cause was the Shamal - a local warm air breeze that blows in from Iraq toward the island of Bahrain.

The compressed round-robin event saw Southworth unbeaten in eight races across two days as wind gradually moderated to 8-10 knots. In the opening race, one mast was broken, due to an unexpected chain plate failure, but with great ingenuity it was sleeved and welded over-night - then straightened by Southworth and cockpit-man, Andy McLelland, with assistance from winches on two other boats, manned by crews from across the fleet!

Third and fourth places were hard fought between Pakistan and Bahrain 2, with Pakistan winning the first, Bahrain 2 the second and a close-covering battle in the final race, that saw Pakistan take third place overall.

With the wind lightening, Southworth and his four crew hoped for a change up to genoas for the Final. But race organisers and the international Jury, led by Luca Babini of Italy, stuck to jibs. Race one, saw Southworth control the start and lead the Bahraini team from start to finish. But the locals, and previous years’ winners, fought back in race two. Using local knowledge, they tried to get Southworth to run-aground off the harbour entrance. Spectators peered down from the wall above enjoying a birds-eye view of both crews as they tried not to be first to ground. Southworth broke clear to lead again from start to finish.

Some of the entrants were new to the J/24 and preparing for the forthcoming Asian Games. The GB team helped set boats up and gave handling tips to these crews. Sailing and match racing is being encouraged and supported by Sheikh Kalifa bin Abdulla al Kalifa, who founded the Sailing Club and oversees its development. The Sheikh is encouraging development of sailing and enjoys the support of the Royal Family in his efforts.

Prince Nasser bin Hassan al Kalifa, recently returned from Sandhurst Military Academy, presented Omega watches to the British team of Ian Southworth, Andrew McLelland, Chris McLaughlin, Mark Hayman and Julia Scott.

Comments Ian Southworth: “It's early days for match racing and competitive sailing in Bahrain. But it was a privilege to take part in this event. Sailors were treated to brilliant sunshine, sparkling seas and wonderful Bahraini hospitality. We hope to be invited back next year and to encourage Gulf J/24 sailors to build-up for the Worlds to be held in Sardinia, Italy in 2008”.