WORLD CHAMPION FINALLY CHALKS UP A WIN
by Ian Grant on 28 Sep 2000
Jessica Statham
United States Mark Reynolds finally improved his pointsore with an impressive win in the Star class race today.
Reynolds winner of the recent World championship has been in indifferent form in this important regatta and despite being the master on the course today has a remote chance of winning a medal to go with his Silver at Seoul in 1988 and the Gold at Barcelona in 1992.
He and his 117kg crew mate Magnus Liljedahl were suited to the wind velocity which was recorded at a peak of 18 knots powering to consistent speeds on all angles of sailing.
After being an ordinary performer in the light and variable wins the US Star champions showed the class which elevated them to win the World title.
None of their 15 rival crews including the defending Gold Medallist Torben Grael could sail on equal terms with the American Star particularly when the skilful Reynolds commanded first use of the wind.
His steering technique to 'feather' on the edge of the wind to gain height and speed was a feature of the win over the Great Britain crew of Ian Walker and Mark Covell while Canada's Ross Macdonald and Kai Bjorn improved their overall points with third place.
Torben Grael and Marcelo Ferreira obviously had a tactical plan for this race which targeted the Australian crew of Colin Beashel and David Giles they raced seconds apart over the course with Grael making sure he always maintained the upwind cover.
PROGRESSIVE POINTS: BRA 20pts 1, GBR 24pts 2, AUS 28pts 3, BER 30pts 4, ESP 31pts 5, USA 35pts 6, CAN 37pts 7, NZL 41pts 8, NED 42pts 9, ITA 47pts 10.
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