Tornado Worlds – Greek defenders extend their lead once again

by Icarus Sailing Media on 15 Jun 2016 It was a long event day on the Lake Constance for all until the forth race of the world championship of the Tornado class was over. At first no wind at all, followed by a thunderstorm, after the calm the fleet went afloat, the first race had to be abandoned due to lack of wind, after a longer waiting period finally an new start and after one hour a completed race.

The Greek defenders Iordanis Paschalidis and Konstantinos Trigonis (Nautic Club Thessaloniki) got one bullet more in this race – their third win in four races. It was a fast race. The Greeks only needed 40 minutes to finish – an average speed of 11 knots. So they extended their lead: four races, seven points without discard.

When asked about their performance so far Iordanis Paschalidis stated: “The first race was difficult for us, not to make any damage. We were happy to win the first two races on
Sunday.“

Surprising changes on the following ranks:
Bob and Marc Baier (from Bavarian SC Füssen/Forggensee SCFF) unfortunately lost his rudder during the fourth race and consequently his second overall ranking, now being in 10th place. New team on second place is Australian Brett Burvill and his German crew Estela Jentsch (SCFF). The 14 years old girl said the evening before: “We try to stay in the top!” She is sailing the first time with Brett on a Tornado, so far her experience has been sailing Optimists and 29ers. “We have a lot of fun together on the Tornado. Brett is steering with big reliability.” She feels confident after such a short time with the helmsman from down under.

During the first race she didn’t use the trapeze and the gennaker – but at least they have been amongst the eleven who finished that race. The Australian-Bavarian team today finished fifth – and climbed in the ranking to main pursuer of the defenders.

Second in todays race were Australians Gavin Colby and Billy Leonard, so climbing to rank three in general. Third in the Tuesday race were Nikolaos Mavros and Alexandros Tagarapoulos, also from Greece. They are waiting for the discard – because not finishing the first race. Best Germans team locate on rank eight Josef and David Gunkel from Forggensee SCFF.

No 'Lay day“
Three days, but only four races instead of six – so we have to sail on Wednesday (planned as lay day). Starting time (15th June) will be at 1 pm.

Results after four of 10 races (30 crews from 11 nations)
1. Iordanis Paschalidis/Konstantinos Trigonis, GRE, seven points
2. Brett Burvill/Estela Jentsch, AUS/GER, 19 points
3. Gavin Colby/Billy Leonard, AUS, 23 points
4. Bill Caunce/Aaron Duncan, NZL, 24 points
5. Maria Tsaousidou/Michalis Papadopoulos, GRE, 36 points
6. Nikolaos Mavros/Alexandros Tagarapoulos, GRE, 38 points