May 2, 2019
And then a squall came
Yesterday in Cascais (Portugal) two races of the 24th HM King Juan Carlos regatta took place, which is also the second stage of the new European series in the “Dragon” class.
© Elena Razina
The starting race was held with a changeable wind in direction and strength (10-15 knots). The first boat to the finish line came under the Japanese flag (JPN65) of the most experienced Australian skipper Peter Gilmore (he once won the World Match Racing Tour 4 times and participated in the America's Cup a number of times).
In the second race, Gilmore's crew finished fifth and leads the sum of two starts – 6 points. The Dutch team Peter Heerem (NED412) is three points behind. The third position (12 points) is now occupied by the Spanish boat (ESP71) Javier Sherk.
In the first ten – just three Russian teams, but for now they are at the very bottom of the list. On the 8th place RUS34 of Vasily Senatorov – 17 points (parishes 6–11), on the 9th RUS76 of Dmitry Samokhin – 23 points (2–21), on the 10th RUS27 of Anatoly Loginov – 23 points (20 – 3).
Now – about the incident. As you already know, the leader after the first day is the team of Peter Gilmore, but it was not clear whether she could continue the regatta. For the sad reason that the boat sank. This is how it happened.
In the second race of the day, the wind increased significantly – at gusts up to 30 knots. In addition, conditions have changed: at 4 o'clock in the afternoon in Cascais the ebb begins, a steep wave arises. This is well known to all, and the drivers were ready for this, but then …
After the finish it was necessary to go to the marina for about an hour. The wind already exceeded 35 knots. And suddenly Gilmour knocked him out of the helmsman’s seat with the strongest gust, he was at the bottom of the boat, and the next moment …
The "Dragons" are known to have negative buoyancy. However, current models can stay afloat for up to two minutes. This time the crew had enough to accurately fix their position using a GPS-receiver.
Today Gilmore's team in the morning tried to raise the boat and continue to participate in the regatta. But, according to many, there was little chance of it: the currents had to carry the yacht all the way through the night.
P.S. Nevertheless, the yacht was raised and, as it was written on the page of the International Association of Dragons on Facebook, she looked more than cheerful for a young lady who walked all night without permission (last shot).
275 May 2, 2019 # 8983
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