Findel wins SAP 505 Race 9
by Rob Kothe on 2 Feb 2007
The German crew of Helen Fischer and Angela Stenger (the only all-girl crew in the regatta) were fighting for the lead in the first legs of Race 9, 2007 SAP 505 World Championships Sail-World.com /AUS
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Light winds for the final race, the 2007 World Champions Jan Saugmann and Morten Ramsbaek of Denmark have chosen not to race, having been celebrating into the pre-dawn hours.The battle today is for second and third.
The wind is coming from the south west again. The first leg is set to 215; the wind is blowing at 5-6 knots.
At the first mark, Jens Findel (GER) is two lengths ahead of Helen Fischer (GER), another length back to Howie Hamlin (USA).
Second on pointscore going into this race was Mike Martin, his black boat is not in the top 20. Hamilin was just a point behind and he looks to be in control.
Down the run, the breeze is still very light, only six knots, only the lightweight German women's crew is on the wire.
At the bottom mark, Hamlin has closed up on Fischer, with Kevin Taugher (USA) fourth , two boat lengths back.
Up the beat for the second time, Hamlin found a little shift and moved into second place, just a length ahead of Fischer.
Ian Pinnell (GBR) is currently fifth but Sandy Higgins (AIS/SA) is only a few placed behind, so should keep Pinnell at bay on the overall points.
Round the wing mark after the shy reach, Findel has opened up a lead of over a minute to Hamlin with Fischer third. Pinnell is fifth and Higgins ninth.
Back at the leeward mark and the way back up the beat, Hamlin has closed up on Findel, four boat lengths in it now.
At the top mark for the third time Hamlin has almost caught Findel. Fischer is still third, the light conditions helping the girls, but Taugher is closing. Down the run again, Hamlin is just a single boat length behind Findel and Fischer has almost caught the pair.
The wind was well up as the boats sailed down the last run, gusting to 12 knots, with the boats behind bringing the breeze down with them, the fleet has closed up.
Round the mark and up to the finish of the final race in the 62nd International 505 Worlds. The breeze is staying in and crews are on the wire. Sandy Higgins (AUS/SA) is seventh and should have third place overall sewn up ahead of Pinnell.
Jens Findel (GER) gets the gun, ahead of Howie Hamlin (USA), two boat lengths back. Third is Kevin Taugher. (USA).
Behind them a couple of boats, look to have done well on the final beat, over on the Brighton shore.
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