On the 23rd, most of the sailors boarded the chartered flight that would take them from Recife to the island of Fernando de Noronha. This is one of the biggest South American ever, and with a total of 92 sailors registered from 8 countries; Colombia, Chile, Argentina, USA, Portugal, Peru, UK and, of course, Brazil, it’s one of the most

competitive ever.

Unfortunately, some of the American and Argentineans gear didn’t make it in time to Recife to board the flight, and after several days of waiting it finally arrived the second day of competitions. The first day of competitions was canceled as a unanimous vote to wait for the gear.

Fernando de Noronha is one of Brazilians most beautiful national park, and it’s not uncommon to sail with Dolphins, turtles and flying fish. The organization this year went all the way to provide an awesome event. A huge tent was set so everyone could get plenty of shade.

It is planed to do a total of nine races, being 3 races per day, since no races are aloud to start after 1pm, for security reasons.

Firs day of competitions:

With a steady 15 knots we went to the water to have our first start at 10am. The first start was a port tack favored start, and about 20% of the fleet started in port. I had a really bad crash with Mathias from Chile (I was in Port and crashed into him), that resulted in a total destruction of his board. Luckily no body got hurt and he manages to get a redress for the 3 races that he missed. There was a general recall and we started the race with almost all sailors going in starboard. Gonzalo won this race and Ross came second followed by myself (I was DSQ because of the crash so the third place went to Paulo dos Reis). The second race was won by Ross followed by Gonzalo and Rodrigo (Gonzalo’s brother). The last race of the firs day, the winds dropped to 11-13 knots, Gonzalo took another bullet followed by Ross and Myself. The races where back to back and by 12:30 everyone had sailed back to the beach.

Today the races started early and by 9:45am we were already in the water. With stronger winds raging from 13 to 20 knots, another 3 races where sailed back to back, In the firs race, Gonzalo was leading and on the downwind broke his extension Ross took the lead, followed by myself and Paulao dos Reis, Paulao and Ross tacked perfect, wile I over stood the mark and ended up finishing in third, Paulao in second and Ross taking the win.

Second race, Ross and I rounded the upwind pretty close together followed by Paulao. On the second upwind, I rounded in first and Paulao passed Ross on the downwind. I came first across the finish line, second was Paulao and Ross in third, Gonzalo who started about 1 minute late, had a good come back and finished fourth. The last race, I was leading and on the downwind

broke my extension. Ross took the lead followed closely by Gonzalo and Paulao, as they rounded the bottom mark, Paulao broke is mast. So Ross went on to win the race with Gonzalo in second and Gabriel Starosta in Third.

The winds for tomorrow are supposed to be stronger, and with 9 races we will have 2 discards. Sunday, the last day, will be the long distance race around the island. More news tomorrow.

Regards,

Wilhelm Schurmann

BRA 999

Provisional results with one Discard

1. Ross Williams GRB 83

2. Gonzalo Costa ARG 3

3. Leonardo Rebello

4. Paulo dos Reis

5. Rodrigo Costa

For Fotos and video check the site: www.upwind.com.br