HAYLING ISLAND, UNITED KINGDOM-(21-7-2003) Today the Francis Mouvet Team Racing Championship provided a fresh challenge for the sailors assembled at Hayling Island for the International 420 World Championships. The course was laid directly in front of the clubhouse, providing a fantastic view for the spectators which was complimented by commentary from Commodore Tim Hancock. The location close inshore provided for variable and challenging conditions, however, with a shifting 6 knots at the windward mark under the clubhouse contrasting sharply with a steady 14 at the leeward. Most of the races were hotly contested, with only one slight confusion occurring at the start. With the close starting, one flight presumed their own signal to be a warning and starting with the Italian team who were competing in the following race. Spain, who were supposed to be challenging Italy, followed the lead of the previous teams, presuming their own start to be their warning, and their opponents sailed the course unimpeded. This slight confusion was the only hiccup in an otherwise almost faultless performance by the Spanish team who eventually emerged as the overall winners, their only loss in the heats being the accidental failure to start. They were met in the final by a strong Italian team who eventually lost 2-1. Olympic silver medallist Mark Covell presented the prizes to the winners in a ceremony following a day of exciting and entertaining racing. The top places were: 1st – Spain 2nd – Italy 3rd – Great Britain 4th – France
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