RC44 World Title Claimed With A Race to Spare by Charisma

14th August 2023

Afloat.ie Team

Charisma defended their RC44 World Championship title in challenging conditions on the Solent Credit: Nico Martinez

The Royal Yacht Squadron in Cowes and the Solent provided a fitting stage for the leading owner-driver one design class, the RC44, to compete for their World Championship title.

Nine teams battled it out over four days in challenging conditions, including the famously complex British tides and fast-moving weather systems.

Despite the difficulties, Nico Poons, tactician Hamish Pepper and the crew of Charisma successfully defended their World Championship title. Unlike their win last year in Portorož, Slovenia, which was in ultra-light conditions, this time the regatta was held in more typical "Charisma conditions", with 20-knot winds playing a significant role in their victory with a race still to spare.

Charisma began the day five points ahead of Team Nika, with Chris Bake's Team Aqua and Hugues Lepic's Aleph Racing a further two and three points behind, respectively. While Charisma celebrated their victory, the race for the remaining podium positions was still ongoing.

Nico Poons, tactician Hamish Pepper and the crew of Charisma successfully defended their World Championship title Photo: Nico Martinez

With Charisma gone and Louise Morton's all-female Bullet crew retired, the final race saw a tight battle for the remaining podium positions. Aleph Racing was one point ahead of Team Aqua and Team Nika, but ultimately, Team Aqua, who led the pack on day one, emerged victorious in the final race, securing second place overall.

From here, the 44Cup moves to Alcaidesa Marina next to Gibraltar for the penultimate event of the season, over 18-22 October.

2023 44Cup World Championship Ranking 2023
(After 13 races)
1. Charisma - 4 2 2 4 8 2 6 2 1 1 1 3 10DNS - 46
2. Team Aqua - 1 1 4 8 1 7 8 4 3 2 4 7 1 -51
3. Team Nika - 7 3 1 2 4 5 5 1 4 5 5 8 2 - 52
4. Aleph Racing - 2 5 6 3 2 6 1 7 2 4 8 1 5 (2) - 54
5. Team Ceeref powered by Hrastnik 1860 - 6 7 7 5 5 3 3 3 5 3 3 5 6 - 61
6. Peninsula Racing - 3 4 5 7 7 1 7 5 6 8 2 2 7 - 64
7. Black Star Sailing Team - 5 6 3 6 6 4 2 8 7 6 7 6 3 - 69
8. Artemis Racing - 8 9 8 1 3 8 4 6 8 7 6 4 4 - 76
9. Bullet - 9 8 9 9 9 9 10DNF 9 9 10DNF 9 10DNF 10DNF - 120

44Cup Overall Ranking 2023
(After three events)
1. Charisma - 2 1 1 - 4
2. Aleph Racing - 3 3 4 - 10
3. Team Ceeref powered by Hrastnik 1860 - 1 5 5 - 11
4. Peninsula Racing - 4 2 6 - 12
5. Team Nika - 5 4 3 - 12
6. Team Aqua - 7 7 2 - 16
7. Black Star Sailing Team - 8 6 7 - 21
8. Artemis Racing - 6 8 8 - 22

Published in 44Cup

Tagged under

44 Cup

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