Snipe Western Hemisphere & Orient Championship 2010 – Day 3

by Jerelyn Biehl on 3 Sep 2010 Snipe Western Hemisphere & Orient Championships day 3 could not have gotten any better for regatta leaders Ernesto Rodriguez and Mary Hall of the US. Continuing on a winning streak, the duo posted a 1-2-1 to give them a significant lead over the fleet. With one race left in the Championship and the possibility of a second discard race, the regatta is virtually done for these two.

Lake Erie served up another stellar day of wind and slight chop challenging the sailors to stay powered up for the long windward-leeward courses. A moderate 8-12 knots was seen on the course. Rodriguez and Hall could be found rounding the first weather mark near the top and then using their speed and tactics to edge out the win or second place finish. Their only loss today was to Augie Diaz and Kathleen Tocke of the US.

Brazilians Rafael Gagliotti and Andre Urbina were on the march today with a second and what seemed to be a race win, but an OCS and a deep last race have pushed them back. Day one leader Alexandre Tinoco and Gabriel Borges of Brazil found their groove back and moved up to sit third overall.

The forecast for tomorrow may have some rain and significantly more wind for the final race and a second discard countered in may mix up the standings behind Rodriguez/Hall.

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