Light winds this morning saw two races completed, with most sailors using 11.5 to 12m’s. As usual the first race of the day saw a lot of mistakes.
Race 1.
With a port end favoured line, it was Pritchard and Wojtek who got away clean and lead around the top mark. Williams and Jimmy Diaz had a clean starts on starboard as did Andrea Cucci. After the bottom mark the mistakes started to happen. Wojtek and Kevin went directly through the start line, which was closed to competitors, as did Peter Bijl. Steve Allen and Phil McGain went to the wrong upwind mark, so it was Gonzalo and Williams who got the right course to the weather mark and was able to remain in clean air to the finish, with Gonzalo placing first and Williams in second. Seth Besse came in a strong third, while Steve Allen finished back in Fourth.
Race 2.
The winds were still around 5-8 knots, but the race committee decided to continue racing. This time the majority of the fleet went on port tack with Wojtek and McGain getting away the cleanest at the port end. Williams had good speed in the light wind and was able to round the top mark close to flying Pole, Wojtek. Pritchard rounded 3rd, with Diaz, Bijl, Cucci and Allen all close to
the leaders.
Wojtek rounded the bottom mark just ahead of Williams and Pritchard, with Allen using his downwind speed to catch up to fourth. On the last downwind Williams passed Wojtek with Pritchard holding onto third and Allen in fourth.
Race 3.
Finally the wind picked up to 10-15 knots and sailors changed down to 10.5’s to 11m’s. Wojtek got away clean on starboard, with McGain, Allen and Cucci making a push for the top spot around the weather mark. Wojtek lead all the round the course to finish in first, with Allen in second and McGain in thirid, Andrea Cucci fresh out of the Italian winter, had a great race in fourth spot.
Race 4.
Allen got a flying start near the pin, with Wojtek and McGain further up the line, with good speed. Buzianis finally got a good start on port rounded the weather mark, second’s ahead of McGain, with Boulon, Wojtek and Cucci all close together. Steve held his lead to the bottom and up to the top mark for the final time. Wojtek stayed in second, with Cucci rounding out the top 3. Boulon passed McGain on the final jibe to finish just ahead on fourth spot.
In the women’s division, Dorota who was racing with the men’s, proved she’s got what it takes to mix it with the big dogs. Getting good starts and using his light wind tactics, she was able to get top 20 finishes for most of the
races to lead the women after 4 races.
Great racing on the first day, with plenty of different winners. Weather forecast looks much the same for tomorrow.
Unofficial top 4 results, because we left the beach early and no results were posted.
1. Wojtek.
2. Allen
3. Williams.
4. Cucci.
