Nice big northerly winds on Port Phillip Bay earlier in the day as the third day of Sail Melbourne’s Formula Windsurfing Worlds got underway at Elwood Sailing Club in Victoria.
Two further races were sailed by early afternoon and Australian Allison Shreeve maintains her lead after five races, leading Dorota Staszewski (POL) by two points, with Lucy Horwood third overall after two further races on nice flat seas in winds of up to 20 knots on a hot day.
It was no easy task for Shreeve to stay in front. In race four, the 23 year old Sydneysider broke her mast extension and did not complete the race. In the pre-start to race five, a French male competitor collided with her, causing a spectacular capsize and injury to her foot. She went on to win the race, but hobbled ashore afterwards, her ankle swollen to double its normal size. This is twice during the championship she has been involved in collisions with male competitors.
Close competition in the Men’s 87-strong fleet has yesterday’s leader, Wojtek Brzozowski (POL), in front by only one point, with two Frenchmen snapping at his heals. The Polish champion scored his worst result in the earlier race four, a 15th, which he used as a discard, but came back strongly with a fourth in race five to hold onto the lead from Antoine Albeau, with Youth sailor Julien Quentel dropping to third place following 10th and fifth places – just a further point in arrears of his countryman.
Competitors told how winds were fairly solid but shifty on the course area, making it a difficult decision as to which side of the course to go. Port hand was favoured in the first race of the day, once again producing a mix of results. Some of the big names took the starboard option and lost out.
More damage and injury today. Michael Porter from the US Virgin Islands came ashore first. Breaking his small mast in winds that gusted over 20 knots at times, he headed to the beach and changed to his big rig – not ideal in the heavier conditions, but better than nothing at all. A short time later, it was Thorkaas Knut (NOR), suffering gear damage, which he managed to repair and returned to the water. Wilhelm Schurmann from Brazil did some damage to his thumb, necessitating a trip to the local hospital.
For Porter, the day got worse. Dry humour replaced disgust as he thought about his day. “First I broke my small mast and then I went out for the next race and found a big hole. The Women (who started after the Men’s division), found some pressure and caught me up. It got worse, though. I was standing still for so long a bunch of flies decided to land on me and make me their home. Here I am at a World titles, I’m meant to be good at what I do and here I am dead last!”
Back on land for a break following two races, competitors and officials watched with dismay as breezes petered once more. Inevitably, up went the AP flag and at 5.25pm, officials were still determining whether they would be able to get another start underway. It looks like it may well be another late night for all.
Sail Melbourne is made possible by the support of event sponsors: Sport & Recreation Victoria, Collex, Parks Victoria; associate sponsors Bayside City Council and Menere’s BMW Brighton and support sponsors Ronstan International, Schenker Australia, City of Kingston and the City of Port Philip.
