McMillan puts on a show for sailing’s stars
HOME skipper Leigh McMillan’s The Wave seized the overall lead in the Extreme Sailing Series on a star-studded day four of Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week.
One win and two second places from yesterday’s seven races elevated Isle of Wight-born McMillan and his crew into first place, ahead of France’s Groupe Edmond de Rothschild and previous leader Luna Rossa, of Italy.
Good sailing conditions allowed the full 11-strong fleet to race together five times, on a day in which celebrities from the world of sailing and beyond, such as Scottish rugby great Gavin Hastings, joined the teams on board as guests.
John Pink’s Aberdeen Asset Management was able to continue competing in the British leg of the global series after the Olympic 49er sailor succeeded in repairing damage caused when the boat capsized during Monday’s racing.
Elsewhere yesterday, in the IRC Class 1, Michael Bartholomew’s Tokoloshe won the Britannia Cup, one of the regatta’s most coveted prizes, ahead of another King 40, Aasmund Drolsum’s Magic and Bernard Gouy’s Ker 39 Inis Mor.
Lloyd’s Yacht Club’s Swan 53 Lutine was first in the IRC Class 2s, while Niklas Zennstrom’s Ran triumphed on corrected time in the IRC Big Boats.
Johnny Shaw and Julia Plumstead’s Perdix took victory in the XOD class, ahead of Simon McCarthy and Adam Richards’ XL, while Julia Bailey’s Aimee pipped Gavia Wilkinson-Cox’s Jerboa by just 19 seconds in the Dragon class.