18 foot - German Grand Prix Final day - Report by Andy Richards. Pictures by Christophe Favreau

The final day of the European 18ft Skiff Grand Prix in Travemunde bought with it finally some sunny skies and promise of a decent breeze - however on the horizon was the possibility of some storms so the race officer got the fleet out early to try and squeeze in the two remaining races.

Pindar Radii (GBR) having sewn up the series already were just spectators for the real battle taking place for second overall between Gill / Wet and Wild Graphics (GBR) and GE Commercial Finance (GBR). In the pre-start of the first race, a classic americas dial-up began between the two, both of them using the spectator fleet and committee boat to their full advantage in trying to get on each others tail - GE had the better discard so it was in their interest to get Gill down the fleet, however after a few minutes of duelling, it was Gill who came out on top even managing to get a penalty on GE for a simple port/starboard infringement. This left GE off the back of the start while Gill managed to get away mid fleet.

At the top mark it was the ever present Bodotex (DEN) who led the fleet, followed by Pindar Radii. On the downwind however they overhauled the Danes to take the lead and were only challenged near the end, taking their 6 th bullet of the series and re-inforcing their lead at the top of the rankings. GE raced through the field but only managed to get up to 5th, and meanwhile Gill had managed to creep up to 2nd, therefore ensuring the second place overall.

With black clouds on the horizon, the race comittee wisely decided to send everyone ashore, and sure enough 30 mins later a torrential downpour with associated lighting and thunder duly arrived. So the end of another eventful series - Pindar Radii stamping their authority on the event while the series contenders GE Commercial and Gill and to make do with runner up podium positions.

Next event starts this Thursday for Round 4 in Sonderborg, Denmark.

Results ( 7 races, 1 discard, 16 starters)

1st Pindar Radii (GBR) 6 pts

2nd Gill / Wet and Wild Graphics (GBR) 15 pts

3rd GE Commercial Finance (GBR) 19 pts

4th UTI (SUI) 25 pts

5th Bodotex (DEN) 31 pts

6th PICA (GBR) 36 pts