Tom Gillard and Sam Brearey on winning track in 2012 International Fireball World Championship
Great Britain’s Tom Gillard and Sam Brearey have put up a scintillating show at Comet Bay throughout the 2012 International Fireball World Championship as their impressive form has increased their chances of claiming the championship title.
Once again, they were outstanding on the Comet Bay waters from the beginning of the penultimate day and retained their overall lead with 12 points after sailing in eight races, including one discard. They clinched two bullets in both scheduled races of the
second-last day and surged into a stable position where they can maintain their distance from the second placed Robert Inns and Joel Coultas until the end.
Speaking to the media at the conclusion of fourth day, Gillard said, “Last year we came second in the worlds on count back so we are determined to go one better this year. We have never sailed in Australia before but these are some of the biggest conditions
we have sailed the Fireball in.”
On the other hand, Brearey added, “We have spent a lot of time in the gym training for this regatta and the fitness levels are starting to tell.”
Australia’s Inns and Coultas are just four points behind the leaders and can surely challenge the Britons for the regatta title. They finished second in both races on the penultimate day. To clinch the title, the Aussies will be looking for an extraordinary
performance on the final day.
The weather conditions on the penultimate day were quite strong but not enough to trouble the participants. However, the breeze was blowing from 15 to 20 knots with some heavy gusts. Despite the tough conditions, the 63-boat fireball fleet was able to complete
the proceedings successfully.
Top five standings after eight races including one discard:
1. GBR 15041 North Meets South, Tom Gillard, Sam Brearey 1, 4, 2, (6), 1, 2, 1, 1 = 12 points
2. AUS 15025 Dreadlock Holiday, Robert Inns, Joel Coultas 5, 3, 1, 2, (8), 1, 2, 2 = 16 points
3. AUS 15032 AEG, Greg Allison, Richard Watson 8, 2, 4, 4, 6, (21), 4, 8 = 36 points
4. AUS 14786 Renegade, John Heywood, Brett Littledike 7, 1, 3, 7, (17), 6, 6, 9 = 39 points
5. GBR 15045 Zhik/PB Race Team, Dave Wade, Tim Saxton 3, 6, (11), 5, 5, 5, 9, 6 = 39 points
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