Brits make move at RS-X Worlds - Day 2

by Sail-World /Davill Bell on 25 Sep 2006
Conditions in Torbole were classic Garda weather for which it is known as the 'Paradise of Sailing'. The Ora blew at a steady 15 kts out of clear skies and with the mist lifting off the hills for the first time all regatta. It was picture-perfect for sailing in the best stadium in the world. Britain's Nick Dempsey is in fourth and Lucy Harwood eighth after day two of the RSX Worlds

Racing continued to be the tactical drag race of yesterday, with most competitors doing just two tacks to the top mark, downwind is where all the gains are made.

The Race Committee tweaked the course layout slightly and all races went off pretty close perfect. Trentino course was a little biased at the start, with 99 percent of the sailors choosing the port end of the line so as to get in under the cliffs and take advantage of the lifts curving off of them. Whereas on Torbole course it was more of a mixed bag, the outer loop sailors hitting the left side, the inner loop sailors sailing the right side.

Torbole Course - Yellow Division Racing First

Julien Quentel (FRA) had a clean start and was off leading the pack from the start. Closely followed by Michaz Polanowski (POL) Most of the race Julien dominated. But in last 30 metres to the finish, he was caught in windless area, only to let Michaz get the bullet. You could see the frustration on Quentel’s face. On getting to the beach after racing the frustration continued. Both those sailors were over early, scoring an OCS. This let Nikos Kaklamanakis into a first place.

Red division were off 10 minutes after yellow which caused a few problems with a cross over of the two fleets. Once again Casper Bouman (NED) stamped his dominance coming in for a clean score card of all first places. Being the four race of the qualification series a drop is made available, and well Bouman gets to drop a 1.

Teammate Joeri van Dijk a first and a second today. Kiwi Tom Ashley scored the same, but in a different division. Nick Dempsey added a second, and a well earned first place. The big stand out is the Swiss sailor Richard StuaffacherR (SUI), who is currently having the regatta of his life and sitting in fifth place

Torbole Course - First Women’s Race
Marina Alabau (ESP) led the fleet by over a minute, followed by Blanca Manchon (ESP) who led Antonia Frey by a further 30 seconds. It was a role reversal in race two. Manchon went on to win with Aalabau in second, Australia’s Allison Shreeve was third.

Trentino Course
Zofia Klepacka (POL) grabbed a second from Barbara Kendall (NZL1). Barbara with husband Shane and children Samantha and new addition to the family, Amy, moved to Italy a month ago. Kendall has spent valuable time researching the local conditions thoroughly, scoring a 5, 1, 3 so far and placing her in third overall.

Marta Hlavaty (POL) used her Formula experience to staple a first place in front of Alessandra Sensini (ITA) Romy Kinzel (GER) continues to improve scoring a third today as well.

Tomorrow is the last day of qualifying, which will divide the fleets and begin the final rounds. This will leave the top 40 women and 41 men in the gold fleets. A very tense time for some riding edge of the cut off.