Rashley-Greenhalgh Showdown in Bermuda

Hamilton, Bermuda (December 10, 2015) – The inaugural Amlin International Moth Regatta is primed for a showdown between Chris Rashley and Rob Greenhalgh. At stake is $5,000. With three races on tap for the finale tomorrow, it’s anyone’s guess as to who’ll come out on top of the event hosted by the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club.

In 18 to 25 knots today, Rashley retained the overall lead but only after Greenhalgh capsized in the day’s third race, the eighth of the series.

Greenhalgh had opened a 2-point lead in the overall standings after placing 1-2 in the day’s first two races to Rashley’s 2-3. In the third race, Greenhalgh found himself out of control after the end fitting on the push rod controlling the main foil broke.

“I was going really well in the first two races. I won the first race going away and had great speed in the second race, probably could’ve won that one too but had to do an extra jibe and that allowed Goody (Paul Goodison) to win,” said Greenhalgh.

“I’m not sure when the fitting broke, maybe between the second and third race. After it broke I could go upwind alright but had a massive capsize on the run near the leeward gate,” Greenhalgh said.

Greenhalgh placed 13th in the third race, which is one of his discards, while Rashley won it.

The day started off with those who have a choice of rig setups debating what to go with. The forecast called for the wind to build but some doubted it, believing that forecast heavy rain would dampen the wind strength.

“I used my flat sail, soft mast, large main foil and small rudder,” Rashley said. “It was an odd set up but I thought there would be a lull in the wind before the storm. As it turned out the forecast was spot on.”

For others, such as Chris Draper of SoftBank Team Japan, there was no choice. He only has one mast but he was left wanting for a softer one.

“I’m lighter than those guys (Rashley, Greenhalgh) so I could use a softer mast,” said Draper. “A softer mast would allow the sail to depower more. I can’t quite hike with those guys.”

Draper had been the top scoring America’s Cup sailor in the fleet, but after dropping to 5th today that honor now belongs to Paul Goodison of Artemis Racing. Goodison, who was 3rd at the European Championship last summer, placed 3-1-3 today and now holds 3rd overall, 11 points behind Rashley.

Tomorrow’s forecast is calling for 10- to 15-knot winds from the northeast, which should be ideal for another Rashley-Greenhalgh showdown. Rashley has revenge on his mind after Greenhalgh wrested the European Championship away last summer in the final race. Rashley had led from the start.

“Greenhalgh is stronger than me in the conditions that are forecast, so I just have to sail my best. That’s all I can do,” said Rashley.

Hosted by the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club, the fleet is competing for a $10,000 prize purse, including $5,000 for the winner, with racing on Monday, Dec. 7, to Friday, Dec. 11.

Current Results (Top 10 of 58; 8 races, 1 discard)
1. Chris Rashley (GBR) (4)-2-3-1-1-2-3-1 – 13 points
2. Rob Greenhalgh (GBR) 1-4-1-3-2-1-2-(13) – 14
3. Paul Goodison (Artemis Racing) 2-3-2-(13)-10-3-1-3 – 24
4. Simon Hiscocks (GBR) 3-8-(59/DNF)-2-3-7-5-2 – 30
5. Chris Draper (SoftBank Team Japan) 5-1-7-4-7-(8)-4-5 – 33
6. Kyle Langford (ORACLE Team USA) 6-(16)-4-9-5-4-6-6 – 40
7. Ben Paton (GBR) 7-7-8-12-4-9-(18)-4 – 51
8. Jason Belben (GBR) (13)-5-11-5-8-10-8-7 – 54
9. Anthony Kotoun (ISV) 8-19-12-7-6-5-7-(21) – 64
10. Tom Johnson (ORACLE Team USA) 20-12-10-8-11-20-(21)-11 – 92

Event website – Scoreboard – Facebook

ABOVE: Chris Rashley (left) and Rob Greenhalgh trade tacks during the fourth day of racing. Photo by Beau Outteridge/Amlin International Moth Regatta

Source: Sean McNeill, Amlin International Moth Regatta