Ukraine dominates 2011 Dragon Worlds in rainy Melbourne

by Richard Gladwell on 12 Jan 2011
The Ukrainians are dominating the top three spots on the leaderboard at the 2011 Int Dragon Worlds being sailed on Port Phillip bay, Melbourne.

Like the rest of the east coast of Australia, Melbourne is being subjected to overcast skies, misty horizons and near constant rain, fortunately none of it torrential.

The unusual weather, normally clear blue skies and a warm, moderate seabreeze, played merry hell with the race management, as mico-pressure cells Morris-danced across Port Phillip Bay.

After being on the water since 1000hrs - hoping to get two races sailed, and get the racing program back on track, Principal Race Officer Kevin Wilson was finally happy with the unstable breeze and racing got underway after two false starts around 4.00pm.

The breeze had by that stage settled into the SSE, only to shift 15 degrees as the first attempt at starting was made, resulting in a general recall for the fleet, after a clump of yachts jumped the gun. The second start was also recalled after a group of competitors again jumped the starting signal, requiring a third attempt at starting. This time the Black Flag was signalled, and premature starters were sent home. Only one was identified in what was otherwise a clean start.

The fleet elected to bang the corners of the course, with those on the right generally coming out on top. The first mark rounding was a shambles as the port and starboard tackers converged, and altercations were frequent in what is normally a gentlemen's class.

Britain's Lawrie Smith looked set to put his stamp on the race, as he had done on the opening day, rounding the first mark in close second. However it was not to be and after a more average second beat one of the glory boys of English sailing, dropped back several places allowing Yevgen Braslavez (UKR) into the lead, which he held through to the finish.

On the downwind legs, the yellow bottomed and light blue topped spinnakers of the Ukranians dominated the top places, at one stage holding four of the top five positions in the 70 plus race fleet.

The argy-bargy continued at each mark, and penalty turns were frequently taken, in exoneration of rule infringements. Performing a double turn in a Dragon in a six knot wind, is not a speedy task and a big slide to the rear of the fleet didn't seem to be much of a deterrent.

At the finish, Markus Weiser (UKR) came home sixth, and took over the lead from Richard Lynn who finished 20th in todays tricky conditions and now lies fifth overall. Martin Palsson (SWE) took fourth place on the water and second overall after three races. Remarkably the Swedish crew have only one top ten place, yet lie in second overall. Third is Yevgen Braslavez (UKR), with Lawrie Smith finishing in seventh place to lie fourth overall, just one point out of third equal.

Smith is carrying a 21st from yesterday's race and the more consistent performance of the two East Europeans is holding them high on the points table.

Despite the frequent inquiries of 'hows your father?' around the turning marks, red flags, and the many hails of protest, there were no formal complaints laid with the International Jury.

Maybe the wronged were glad to see the end of a long slow, wet day.

Or maybe the prospect of a party, excellent dinner, free drinks and a good band - all generously provided by one of the European competitors, was a rather compelling incentive for competitors to let bygones be bygones - particularly with a Wine Tour top of the agenda for the following day.

Tomorrow is a lay day, even though the racing is one race behind schedule. The regatta will resume on Thursday for three more days of racing. No change in the very English weather is expected.

For full results http://www.dragonworlds2011.com.au/site/yachting/event/31035/overall_2_1.html!click_here