In a dramatic turn-around, Jan Saugman and Martin Gorge of Denmark started the final day of the 505 Worlds in second place and finished the day as 505 World Champions. Overnight leaders Christian Kellner and Martin Scholer of Germany had a seven point lead and only had to finish in a reasonable position, but finished the day outside the top 50 to hand the 2012 SAP 5O5 World Championships to Saugmann and Gorge.On the 6th and final day of the Championship the day was started with a tribute to 79 year old 5O5 sailor Jim Berry, taking part in his final World Championship after having competed in every Worlds since 1980. Jim lead the fleet out to start area where the days conditions of a well-established South Westerly breeze allowed the fleet to get away on time.
Britain's Ian Pinnel and Ian Michell went clear from the start while Kellner and Scholer didn’t start as well, being trapped out on the un-favoured left hand side of the course. To add insult to injury, they lost their spinnaker gear over the front of the boat at the first leeward mark which dramatically slowed the team down, and saw them relegated to 100+ at the next windward mark and game over.
Saugmann and Gorge sailed a consistent race, finishing in 3rd position behind winners Pinnell and Ian Michell and Jorgen and Jacob Bojsen-Mollerin second, to take the title. Jorgen and Jacob Bojsen-Mollerin took second overall and Kellner and Scholer finished third.
Best placed British crew were IanPinnel and Ian Michell in 10th place. Andy Smith and Tim Needham are 21st overall.
Full results avalaible here
28 July 2012 12:20