Martin wins SAP 505 Worlds Race 7
by Rob Kothe on 1 Feb 2007
Mike Martin and Jeff Nelson (USA) sailing The Black Boat in the 2007 SAP 505 Worlds - Day 2, Race 3 Sail-World.com /AUS
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Blue sky, crystal clear, flat water with 7-8 knots of breeze for Race 7 of the SAP International 505 Worlds sailing out of the Brighton and Seacliff Yacht Club.
At the top mark, Mike Martin (USA) was first to hoist, with a six boat length lead ahead of Doug Hagan (USA). Third, right on his transom was Kevin Cameron with Robin Duessen (AUS/SA) fourth. Sandy Higgins (AUS/SA) was sixth ahead of Helen Fischer (GER) close behind. Britisher Ian Pinell was 12th, Championship leader Jan Saugmann was buried in 16th place.
Down the run, Sandy Higgins flew into second place behind Martin, followed by Hagan, Fischer and Borris Herrman (GER). Saugmann is coming through the fleet, he picked up six places by the bottom mark and is now 10th.
Pinnell has moved up to 11th. Howlie Hamlin (USA) moved from 15th to 12th.
Breeze at 8-9 knots on the way to a shy reach to the wing mark, the crews are not trapezing. Martin has lost a couple of lengths of his big lead, Higgins and Hagan have closed. No changes in the lead group, with Helen Fischer seventh.
On the reach back to the bottom mark, the crews are on the wire. Higgins gained 30 seconds on the two wings, to round four lengths behind Martin.
The breeze was steady, swinging back and forward, no more than five or so degrees, The pressure increasing a knot or two. The top three placings did not change for the balance of the race and Martin got the gun, three lengths ahead of Higgins. Hagan was another boat length back in third place. Saugmann looks like he finished fifth, yet to be confirmed.
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