By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

AFTER finishing up as runner-up to fellow Bahamian Gavin McKinney last month at the International 5.5 Metre Class Association's 2017 World Championships in Benodet, France, Mark Holowesko clinched his major international title at the Régates Royales Cannes Trophée Panerai last week in Cannes, France.

Holowesko, sailing on the New Moon with Christoph Burger and Peter Vlasov, excelled during the week of competition, dominating with five first place, a second and a third. In the process, they also walked away with the Five Nation's Cup title, another prestigious honour for the Bahamas.

The first race was sailed in 3-5 knots, which dropped for the second race from four down to 2 knots. Otto, SUI 209, (Bent C. Wilhemsen, Andreas Dyhr and Luka Strahovnik) was second with CinqueCinque, SUI 227 (Alain Marchand, Louis Rol, Fanny Brouchoud) in third.

"We managed to have two great starts and took the lead early in both races," Holowesko said. "Boat speed was a great help too, to maintain the lead in both races. Winds were out of the south and shifting by 10-20 degrees with pressure differences all over the course.

"We feel like we improved over the week to handle these light conditions and are very happy about our result. SUI 209 was sailing well and we had some great battles."

New Moon also accumulated the lowest points for the 5-Nations Cup (Modern category), one of three annual perpetual prizes in the class. The other two winners in 2017 are Canadian boats, Nantoria in the Classic category and Summer in the Evolution category.

"The competition was from Switzerland, Norway and France," Holowesko revealed. "Our closest competitor in the series was the Norwegian boat which came second."

Unlike the World Championships last month, Holowesko was the lone Bahamian to compete in the championships over the weekend. Holowesko said it would have been great to have McKinney at the regatta but unfortunately he was unable to attend.

"We were happy to win in very light wind conditions," Holowesko said. "We don't normally do well in light winds so it was a good experience and result. Because we won this regatta we also won the Five Nation's Cup which is awarded to the boat with the best result in races in Italy, Germany, Holland, France and the US."

The 5.5 metre sailors will now get a week off before the fleet assembles next weekend for the final international regatta of the year in Lake Thun, Switzerland.