Sailing Magazine
Funke Brothers – Thomas & Peter
pic by Christophe Favreau
The 60th SAP 5O5 World Championship got under way on Saturday with two races being sailed back to back.
The breeze came out of an easterly direction and conditions for sailing were great. Race 1 was started in 7 knots of breeze but this was always going to build and by mid-afternoon, was forecast to strengthen to 16 knots.
Race 1 was led by a number of different sailors but in the end was won by the defending World Champion, Mike Holt and Carl Smit. Sandy Higgins/Paul Marsh from Australia finished in second followed by Michael Quirk and Luke Payne in third. The Funke brothers were the top SA team, finishing in 5th.
Race 2 got under way in a building easterly breeze and with their 5th place, the Funke’s were selected as pathfinder. This meant that they were forced to start the race and head out to the right sight of the course, which turned out not to be the most favourable. Teams that started early could go left and made some good gains. Racing was tough in a building sea and most teams fought hard to hold onto their positions. Mike Holt and Carl Smit again showed their skill and romped away to a well-deserved victory over Stefan Bohm and Gerald Roos. Ian Pinnell and Johannes Tellen finished third with the top SA team, James Largier and Richard Hutton-Squire, coming 10th.
More sailing on Sunday, with only one race scheduled.
Top 5 RSA Results
8 Peter & Thomas Funke
12 James Largier & Richard Hutton-Squire
13 Ricky & Brennan Robinson
14 Alexander & Warwick Ham
15 Tina Plattner & David Shelton
Overall results here: 5o5worlds_race2
