International Lightning Class South American & Master Championships

by International Lightning Class on 25 Jul 2011 The International Lightning Class Association South American and International Master Championships were postponed yesterday due to a combination of the sea state and high winds.

Today was much more favorable for racing and three races were completed. This allowed for one drop race in the series. The Iate Clube Armacao Buzios - ICAB continued to host beautiful sailing conditions with winds ranging from 12-15 kts in the first race, 16-19 kts in the second race and building to 17-21kts during the third race with gusts up to 24-25 kts. 28 boats representing seven Countries took to the line.

Tito Gonzalez sailing with his son Diego Gonzalez Parro and Cristian Herman Sanhueza continued their excellent form and won all three races to take the South American Championship for the third year in a row with four points. Gonzalez won this event for a sixth time. The Brazilian team of Claudio Biekarck, Gunner Ficker and Marcelo Batista da Silva also sailing well today with a 2, 5, 2 stayed in second and finished with eight points. Maintaining third position, another Brazilian team of Thomas Sumner, Felipe Brito and Fillipe Gil sailed strong with a 3, 2, 4 today to finish with 11 points. The Chilian Team of Felipe Robles, Pablo Lorca and Andres Guevara moved up a spot to fourth overall, with a 4, 3 and 16, which was discarded, to finish with 22 points. The family team from USA, Rob Ruhlman, Abby Ruhlman and Ryan Ruhlman pulled into fifth position with a third in the final race today finishing with 28 total points.

The International Masters Championship is sailed concurrently with the South American Championship but is scored seperately. Claudio Biekarck, Gunner Ficker and Marcelo Batista da Silva dominated the regatta winning all five races. The family team from the USA of ILCA President, Rob Ruhlman sailing with his wife Abby and son Ryan moved into second place overall with a 4, 2, 2 in the final day to finish with 11 points. Right behind them with 13 total points is another family team from Brazil, Mario Buckup, Telma Buckup and Marc Buckup. The USA team of Steve Davis, Tom Allen Jr and Laura Jeffers overcame a capsize in the final race and took a 2, 4, 8 today to move into fourth place with 18 total points. Rounding out the top five was another USA team, David Spira, Randy Shore and Ty Whitman that moved up in the standings and had a 8, 7, 3 today, finishing overall with 22 points.

Full Results here