2019 FAST40+ Race Circuit Round 6 at Royal Southern Yacht Club - Overall
by Louay Habib 14 Oct 2019 05:31 UTC
11-13 October 2019
High winds well above the class rules prevented any racing on the last day of FAST40+ Race Circuit Round 6. Peter Morton's Girls on Film is the winner of the regatta, but only on countback from Filip Engelbert's Elvis. Christian Hamilton & Guy Gallon's 42 South is third, also on countback from Niklas Zennstrom's Rán. Both Elvis and 42 South scored their best regatta of the season, and were roundly applauded by the FAST40+ fleet.
Niklas Zennstrom's Rán is the winner of the 2019 FAST40+Race Circuit, retaining the class trophy by just two points from Peter Morton's Girls on Film. After 48 races contested over seven months of thrilling racing the championship was set to go to the wire today, Sunday 13th October. However with no racing Tony Dickin's Jubilee ends the season third, narrowly beating Steve Cowie's Zephyr by two points, and Filip Engelbert's Elvis by three points.
The Prize Giving was held at the Royal Southern Yacht Club with awards for Round 6 and the presentation of the FAST40+ Championship Trophy. FAST40+ Race Director introduced Royal Southern YC Secretary and CEO, Joanna Poulton, to award the prizes.
Niklas Zennstrom's Rán Racing collected the FAST40+ Championship Trophy to a standing ovation from the FAST40+ fleet. "On behalf of all the sailors and owners of the FAST40+ to thanks Stuart (Childerley) and his race team and all of the yacht clubs that have been hosting us, and everyone that has been supporting the class," commented Niklas Zennstrom. "We were nervous this morning because it was so close between Rán and Girls on Film, we really felt the pressure."
After the Prize Giving Niklas Zennstrom highlighted the reasons why Rán Racing enjoys racing in the FAST40+ Class. "The reality is that the competition is getting better, we can see that in every race right across the board including newcomers like 42 South which is a quick boat in the right conditions. Everyone is getting better and we are looking to improve as well. We are not going to make any big changes, our consistency is very good. The spirit in this class is excellent; people are competing hard on the water and because we race against each other all season, we get to know each other quite well. The amazing thing about the FAST40+ Class is that it is owner driver and pro-am which makes it very interesting. There are a lot of young people on board and also women sailors. Big boat sailing is unfortunately a sport where we have a lot of men sailing but Rán and other teams make the effort to have young sailors and women racing. This makes for a better and more interesting experience on and off the water." continued Niklas Zennstrom.
The dates for the 2020 FAST40+ Race Circuit have been announced.
Full results available here.
Stay up to date with all the action through the FAST40+ Class Facebook page and the official website.