Thrills and spills on day 4 of the 2009 Sao Paulo Grand Prix on the beautiful tropical island of Ilhabela. The first 2 races of the day seemed to follow the pattern of the previous day – with Ross Williams (GBR83 ) winning both races and extending his lead on his nearest rivals. However Jesper Vesterstrom(DEN111) posted a 2nd and 3rd – which he followed up with 2 bullets in races 7 & 8 giving him the best results for any salior on the day.
Wilhelm Schurmann (BRA999) had put in another consisant performance – ensuring he moved up the overall rankings into 4th place.
However – it was not to be Alberto Menegatti’s lucky day. Everything was ok until race 7 when Bambi got snarled up in the fishing lines, being cast from the back of boats fishing in the course area, resulting in a DNF!
His day got worse when just after the start of race 8 he was involved in a pile up – it looked bad , but it could have been a lot more serious! Pride and equipment was damaged – but no serious injury!
Most of the fleet started on port – an accident waiting to happen – and it was Alberto and Ross in the firing line. Both were disqualified after a protest hearing – resulting in Alberto relinquishing his overall second place to Jesper.
But this is a tough fleet with many other sailors also posting good results today -Gabriel Browne (BRA50) 2nd in races 6 & 8; Victor Melo ( BRA2497) 3rd in race 7; Gonzalo Costa Hoevel (ARG 3) beginning to show the form that has kept him near the top of the world rankings this year.
Special mention to Sarah Hebert (ARM1) competing with the men, completing every race, and lying just outside the top 10.
Ross Williams goes into the final day of this Grand Prix in pole position, but a good wind forecast, 3 or 4 more races, 1 more discard, could change the shape of the leader board. It is still all to compete for
