and it was almost a fairy tale ending

..........but not quite. Team Korea, a nearly all British crew, couldn't quite do it and came second in the ACWS Plymouth match racing leg, to the bookies favourite Team New Zealand.  having won both quarter and semi final heats......they looked slightly exhausted. team New Zealand didn't have any races before hand. well that's the way the cookie crumbles and of course, the New Zealand skipper is more experienced.

Today was thrilling racing and around 25,000 lined Plymouth Sound again. It has been a fantastic week and we are all looking to the fleet race finale tomorrow. So, here for your enjoyment, are my best shots of the day.

Steve

Umpires boat and countdown clock to first race

match racing: two boats go head to head

whilst support crews and coach boats look on

burning 4000 calories in an afternoon's races

the fittest of the fit

jumping from one side to another constantly

all under the scrutiny of helicopters

Artemis showing a fast turn of speed

as helicopters get lower and lower to get those 'head on' shots

the ex navy seal umpires whizz about on upgraded jet ski's

Team china warming up for their match race

whilst getting some coaching encouragement

thousands watch on the big screen on the Hoe

Team Korea......almost but not quite....but wow, didn't they do well

at some starts boats are less than a metre apart

Tomorrow, shots and videos from this weekend and a selection of the odd shots I've taken over the week.