The third day of the Tornado World Championship in Quiberon delivered four exciting races, allowing the championship to return to schedule after weather restrictions had limited racing to just two races on each of the previous days.
All 26 teams launched for the day’s racing at the Institut National du Nautisme (I2N), facing a wide range of conditions. Wind speeds varied between 8 and 20 knots while shifting from north-east to north-west, challenging the sailors with both light-air and strong-wind racing. Two races were sailed in lighter conditions, while the remaining two tested the crews in considerably stronger breeze.
The fleet produced close and highly competitive racing throughout the day. Tight mark roundings, frequent lead changes and small tactical errors often resulted in significant position changes, keeping the competition intense from start to finish. Germany’s Markus and Nikolaus Betz (GER 2) were consistently among the front-runners, claiming an impressive victory and moving into third place overall after eight races, overtaking the Australian crew of Allan Gamble and Stephen Gamble (AUS 2), who slipped to fourth after having kept the 3rd for the first racing days.
The honours in Race 6 went to CZE 62, with Zdenek Pavlis and Karla Pavlisova taking the win and strengthening their championship lead.
Race 7 produced one of the most unusual moments of the regatta. After the first lap, the Race Committee implemented a course change. With the exception of the Austrian crew AUT 354, every competitor continued sailing the original course and failed to follow the amended course. As a result, all other boats were disqualified (NSC) from the race, leaving AUT 354 as the only classified finisher and the race winner.
The final race of the day, Race 8, was won by AUT 369, sailed by Roland and Laurin Marth, who finished the day with an excellent victory.
After eight races, the overall standings are:
- CZE 62 (Zdenek Pavlis & Klara Pavlisova)
- CZE 72 (Michaela Pavlisova & Marek Pavlis)
- GER 2 (Markus and Nikolaus Betz)
After eight races, the mixed standings are:
- CZE 62 (Zdenek Pavlis & Klara Pavlisova)
- CZE 72 (Michaela Pavlisova & Marek Pavlis)
- BEL 7 (Jan Coppens & Marie Coppens)
After three demanding days on the water, teams are carrying out essential maintenance and repairs to their boats. Resolving technical issues, replacing worn components, and ensuring their equipment for the remaining championship. Moreover, the Tornado family has the chance to come together away from the racecourse, with the official Dinner bringing competitors, officials, volunteers and supporters together for an evening of camaraderie before racing resumes.
Photos by Gerard Touren
With thanks to Amelie Genkinger for providing the race information.