ISAF Sailing World Cup Palma - Finn Class - Tricky sailing on Day 3

by Robert Deaves on 4 Apr 2013 ISAF Sailing World Cup Palma 2013 is currently underway. Giles Scott (GBR) took the overall lead in the Finns for the first time on the third day of racing in Palma de Mallorca as the fleet heads into the finals series on Thursday. There were race wins for Giorgio Poggi (ITA) and Tomas Vika (CZE) in less wind than the previous days, with several sailors picking up high scores in the shifty conditions.

With six races now completed the sailors effectively start again, taking their place in the opening series as the first score in the final series. ISAF is trialling a new scoring system in Palma and so far the jury is still out on any benefits.

Race five got away in a tricky building breeze, starting at around eight knots and rising to 10 knots, with some pin end bias. The breeze was much stronger and bending round to the left. Those that missed this picked up some the deep positions. Unlimited pumping was on but was borderline.

Giorgo Poggi (ITA) won race five from Caleb Paine (USA) and Bruno Prada (BRA). Poggi explained, 'Today in the first race I had a good start four boats up from the pin. There was more pressure on the left of the course and also a small shift to the left that helped me to round the top mark in third. On the downwind I moved up to second place and then I just try to control my position. On the last downwind I closed the distance to Bruno [Prada (BRA)] and at the gate before the finish he took the wrong mark and I won the race. So I also had some luck.'

For race six, the breeze settled at around 10 knots and was a little more steady. Andrew Mills (GBR) said, 'It was classic Palma with the land effect making the left good. I came out the pin and went all the way to the layline and rounded second from Thomas Vika (CZE) after going past the layline. The run was unlimited pumping with Giles, Vasilij Zbogar (SLO, myself, Bruno Prada (BRA) and Tomas. Tomas pulled away nicely and sailed the second beat well for the win. I rounded the second top mark in second closely followed by Vasilij and Caleb, then Vasilij got past on the run.'

'The proper racing starts tomorrow.'

Vika took the race win from Zbogar and Mills. Leader into the day, Jonathan Lobert (FRA) had a difficult day with a 17, 12 and dropped to fourth overall, while a 16, 5 for Scott was enough to take the overall lead from Zbogar and Mills. The best performance of the day was Paine with a 2, 4 to move up to ninth, while newcomer Josh Junior (NZL) continued his good form to end the day in eighth at his first major Finn event.

But a points difference at this stage make no difference as the sailors can only take their opening series positions into the two day final series before Saturday's medal racing.

Results after six races
1.) GBR 41 Giles Scott 17
2.) SLO 573 Vasilij Zbogar 18
3.) GBR 85 Andrew Mills 19
4.) FRA 112 Jonathan Lobert 24
5.) NED 842 Pieter Jan Postma 29
6.) GBR 88 Mark Andrews 38
7.) ITA 11 Giorgio Poggi 39
8.) NZL 24 Josh Junior 46
9.) USA 6 Caleb Paine 48
10.) POL 17 Piotr Kula ISAF Sailing World Cup Palma website