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Win makes John hungry for more

BRIXHAM based Xcellent has won Yacht of Plymouth Regatta, beating scores of other boats.

Xcellent, an X99 helmed by John Pollard, won all five races, against several other top boats including a Hod 35, Corby 29, X332 and another X99.

And John says the win has made him hungry to take part in more one design racing in bigger boats – he is currently Britain’s top Melges 24 sailor and is about to take part in the Melges 24 worlds in France.

Conditions for the racing, which took place in Plymouth Sound were challenging, especially on the final day when there were 22 knots of wind and three windward leeward courses.
John said: “We had good boat speed and got our sail combination working well. Boat handling and tidal awareness was essential however in order to maintain our position.”
Sailing with John was Nic Wellspring, Sean Semmens, Kate Pollard, Gareth Fudge and Dave Parker.