Oslo Flaggfabrikk Wins Norwegian Open Championship

During 3 days the Norwegian Nationals with teams from San Fransisco, Tallin, Stockholm, Århus, Stenungsund, Trondheim, Tønsberg, Fredrikstad, Holmestrand, Drammen and Oslo sailed in three different wind strengths. The event attracted 7 boats with the average age under 25, competing for a special price, and lots of charters.

Day one started in sunny conditions with a gentle 10-15 knots southerly. Just enough for planning conditions, and with a current that made a challenging strategy. The windshifts made it possible to gain on both sides of the course. It was a fierce battle amoung the top 6, and the the overnight leader were Full Medal Jacket (Bronze Worlds 2009) with their new helmsman, Laser Olympic campaigner Stian Tuv.

Day two started a bit grey with a steady southerly around 15 knots increasing to around 20 during the day. The course were close to a very strong current, so the challenge was to get over to the left on the upwind and find the power downwind. Oslo Flaggfabrikk managed the conditions very well, and set the record straight with 3 bullets and a second, going into next day with a lead of 6 points to the three closest competitors, Storm Capital Sail Racing, Baghdad 2 (European 2011 6th) and Full Medal Jacket. Unfortunately Baghdad 1 with Kristian Nergaard and Federico Michetti had a breakdown with their rudder and had to withdraw from the regatta.

Day three started with rain and unstable conditions, before the southerly came in and turned east during the day, around 8 knots. Oslo Flaggfabrikk managed through very good first wind tactics to achieve to more bullets, and could sail in with the championship one race to spare. The battle for silver and bronze was decided only some few hundred meters from the finish line, Baghdad 2 taking the silver and Storm Capital Sail Racing the third, equal on points with number four, Full Medal Jacket.

Helene Harefrøken, from Trondheim took the U25 price by sailing a very good last day.

http://idrett.speaker.no/Downloads/202684/docs/melges_endelig.pdf

https://picasaweb.google.com/115688867456236965251/MelgesNM2011minibilder?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCLTC5PLq_JnJ6wE&feat=directlink%20%3Chttps://picasaweb.google.com/PASkjeggestad/MelgesNM2011minibilder?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCLTC5PLq_JnJ6wE&feat=directlink%3E

Arne