DAN NORMAN and Melanie Rogers, the East Kent Dart 18 catamaran crew who won the class world championship in Italy last year, were in second place as they defended their title in Holland this week.

Norman, a member of Sheppey Yacht Club, and Rogers who sails under the burgee of Whitstable YC, had to give way to the French crew of Emmanuel Dodde and Billy Besson in the first three races held at Wokum in the Netherlands.

The Kent pair admitted they had a lot of work to do to overtake their French rivals, but they were still in with a chance – especially if the winds eased off from the gusts seen on Monday.

Seventy four entries from 20 different countries are taking place in the championship which finishes on Friday.