In one of the closest matches of the America's Cup competition so far, Chris Mason, from Winchester helped GBR Challenge in "Wight Lightning" defeat the French boat "Le Defi Areva" by 13 seconds on October 5th.
This was a great moment for British sailing and for Peter Harrison, who has personally bankrolled the British entry. He saw his team chalk up their first point in the event after two years of painstaking preparation.
Chris' role aboard was as mainsheet trimmer, but his job was not made easy. Racing was delayed for several hours, waiting for the sea breeze, which finally filled in at 19 knots.
Skipper Ian Walker called for a late mainsail change to the heavier Code 3 but when the new mainsail went up the bottom sail batten started to come out. "Wight Lightning" was still being towed as the sail was dropped and rehoisted.
The tow line was cast off with 20 seconds to spare but even so a penalty was incurred as the boat entered the starting box late. Nonetheless tactician Ado Stead and prestart helm Andy Green, also both from Hampshire, made a good start.
Instant decisions in match racing are made by on-the-water umpires with penalties involving a 720 degree turn, carried out on the finishing line.
Penalties are cancelled out when each team has an equal number but at the windward mark, the French boat was awarded two. Although "Le Defi Areva" led round the course "Wight Lightning" overtook as the French completed their one remaining penalty turn.
The following day GBR Challenge met the Italian Mascalzone Latino team but the Hauraki Gulf played more tricks with the weather.
Three matches had to be abandoned, including the British one, when a lack of wind slowed the boats and they exceeded the 45 minute time limit for completing a leg of the course.
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