International Canoe World Championship 1999

Nynashämn, Sweden

British sailors dominated the IC World Championship held at Nynashämn in Sweden between the 28th June and 2nd July. The entry of fifty five included two previous World champions and three past European champions and the top teams from seven countries.

On the first day the fleet enjoyed a gusty and shifty Force three to four for the practice race. This was held inshore and was won by Ola Barthelsson SWE, although many of the fleet declined to finish once they had checked their boats were tuned up. In the afternoon the first race was held out on the main regatta course well away from the land and with a more stable, but weaker, breeze. Lester Noble GBR led the fleet home from Seth Dunbar AUS and Chris Howarth GBR.

Races two and three were run back to back on the following day. This started dull and drizzly with a moderate wind which faded slightly during the day as the sun broke through. Noble continued to show a clean pair of heels recording two first places, with Mark Goodchild GBR equally consistent with two second places. Howarth scored another third in race two with Anders Petersson SWE gaining third in race three. Wednesday's races were also run back to back. The light airs and warm sun made for another long days sailing of about seven and a half hours. Competitors were again provided with packed lunches at the finish of the morning race. Bill Beaver USA finally broke Noble's winning series by picking out a shift on the final beat of race four with Goodchild again chalking up another second place. Noble came third after leading for most of the race.

Petersson led the afternoon race up until the final hundred metres when Noble squeezed through to take another first. Colin Brown GBR picked up third to maintain the strong British presence at the front. Noble clinched his title with yet another bullet on Thursday, this time being followed home by Brown and John Ellis GBR.

With the gold secure Noble took the final day off to catch up with some reading and Ellis took his chance to lead the race, until the final tack when Goodchild eased in to take the race and the silver medal overall.

British sailors filled five of the first six places with Petersson making third on the podium This ranked as Britain's best ever Championship result and clearly demonstrated the strength in depth of the UK fleet.