Star Sailors League – Rohard/Pinsot have stellar final day

by Bob Fisher on 8 May 2016 Hamburg: Xavier Rohart and Pierre-Alexis Ponsot had a stunning last day at the Star Sailors League City Grand Prix. They were the last of the qualifiers to begin the knock-out stage, but began their climb immediately to take the trophy in the final race.

It was what this event is all about, the cream rising under, they have continued the hard work and have at last been rewarded pressure. The French pair take home US$ 25,000.00.

Rohart commented after the win that he took the chances that were offered: “We got in front in clear air and were able to increase our lead, but the others were coming up on the increasing breeze. However, we got that breeze before they could overtake.” He and Ponsot have trained together for eight years and while they missed out at the last Olympics, they have reward for their efforts.

Second place, and with it US$ 15,000.00, went to Evind Melleby of Norway who sailed with Josh Revkin of the USA. They held off the spirited challenge of the Polish team of Mateusz Kusznierewicz amd Dominik Zycki, who in turn held off the Italians Diego Negri and Sergio Lambertenghi.

The original fleet of 86 had been previously whittled to 30 and after the morning race of those 30, just the top ten moved to compete in the final stages. Somewhat remarkably, two of the highly fancied teams, the new world champions, Augie Diaz and Bruno Prada, and the most successful yachtsman present, five times Olympic medallist, Volvo Race and Louis Vuitton Cup winner, Torben Grael and his crew Bruno Prada were eliminated in the semi-final race.

The next of the Star sailors League regattas will be the SSL Finals at the end of November in Nassau, Bahamas.