Simmons retains IOD title

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Penny Simmons retained his national IOD title after blowing away the competition during yesterday's Bermuda Sailing Association (BSA) Keelboat Nationals in the Great Sound.

Sailing with crew James Amos, Steven King, D'Arcey Betschart and wife Sacha, the veteran skipper won all five races sailed in the IOD fleet to finish seven points clear of nearest rival Andrew Cooper.

Yesterday saw the IOD fleet sail in 15-24 knot northeast breezes.

Commenting on his successful title defence, reigning IOD World Champion Simmons said the races were closer than results suggest.

“The courses were short so the racing was close,” he added. “A couple of races we may have stretched out a bit, but generally it was fairly close.

“We had to come from behind a couple of times when we weren't so good at the start so that made us work a bit.”

Simmons made two changes to his crew that won the 2012 IOD World Championship in the Great Sound the previous week, with wife Sacha and 1972 Olympic team mate Amos coming in to replace Matthew Cairney and Steve Mohr.

“The crew came together and it all worked out,” Simmons added: “I think they all wanted to get home.”

The BSA Keelboat Nationals continue today with the final races to be held in the Etchells fleet.

Jason Owen is the current leader in the Etchells fleet.

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