Day 7 - Races 9: Nicholsons are Three Time World Champions!
Saturday, 14th December 2002
The top four teams fought a dramatic battle in today's final race (race 9), for the International 505 World Championship. With the Fremantle Doctor still missing in action, the race was sailed in a 12-14 knot breeze with a large chop.
At the end of the run (second leg), Krister Bergstrom/Thomas Moss looked to be in a championship winning position, as they were second, with the Nicholson brothers at least six places behind, and Howard Hamlin/Mike Martin just behind the Nicholsons.
Chris and Darren Nicholson worked there way through to second on the next beat (third leg), passing Bergstrom/Moss in the process, rounding the next windward mark second behind Tim Collins/Drew Buttner, with Bergstrom/Moss third. Those positions held until the final beat the finish, when Howard Hamlin/Mike Martin pulled their way back into the picture, passing Bergstrom/Moss to finish third. Bergstrom/Moss were fourth.
The fourth place team, Dan Thompson/Andy Zinn, got up to second place in the race until Bergstrom/Moss passed them at the leeward mark at the end of the two reaching legs (end of leg five).
It turns out that these finishes keep the top three in the same positions they were in going into race 9, confirming Chris and Darren Nicholson (AUS) as the 2002 International 505 World Champions. Chris and Darren also won the International 505 World Championship in 1992 and 1993.
Howard Hamlin/Mike Martin (USA-Team Tuesday) finished second overall, Krister Bergstrom/Thomas Moss (SWE) third, Danny Thompson/Andy Zinn (USA-Team Tuesday) fourth.
International
