10:54 PM Thu 17 Sep 2009 GMT
Skandia Sail for Gold Regatta - Finn Class report.
European Champion Ivan Kljakovic Gaspic (CRO) took the lead at the Skandia Sail for Gold Regatta in Weymouth, Thursday, after a second and third places and goes into the final qualification day on Friday with a five point margin
over second placed Ed Wright (GBR) and an eight point margin over third placed Pieter-Jan Postma (NED).
After the disappointment of a day lost Wednesday because of high winds, the Finns were keen to get going but had to wait until mid afternoon before they could start. By then an early morning 20 knots plus had given way to an easterly 10-12 knots. Even in this wind, it was a good one and a half hour sail to the course area and several boats missed the first start.
Wright was looking to regain control of the regatta after some lowly results from him on Tuesday, dropping him from first to fifth overall. He started in the best possible way with a win in race five, from Kljakovic Gaspic and Andrew Mills (GBR) in second and third. Regatta leader Giles Scott (GBR) picked up a 16th.
The second race of the day brought a new face to the front in Daniel Birgmark (SWE), who took the lead on they final leg. Early leader Dan Slater (NZL) continued his good form with a second, while the ever consistent Kljakovic Gaspic placed third to take the overall lead.
Slater said, 'It was an interesting day to say the least. The breeze was between 8-16 knots and shifting up to 30 degrees. There was a 1.5 metre swell coming side on to the wind to make it all like a washing machine.'
'In the second race the breeze was oscillating 20 degrees and I got round the first mark in front and held my lead to the bottom mark by just 1 second. I was able to stay in front to the top mark for the second time but only just. Two guys had came out from the other side of the course from being back in the teens at the bottom mark and they just ducked me before the top mark. Going down the final downwind the fleet closed up as new breeze came down the course making the lead change three or four times between four boats and I crossed the finish line in second.'
Third placed Pieter Jan Postma (NED) is having a great regatta so far. He said, 'Weymouth has brought some great action so far. With the wind off the land there is a short tricky chop which make it hard to make the boat go, so you have to put some physical energy into it. So far we have had breeze off the shore, which is very gusty and shifty. So there are a lot of opportunities for those who are more awake. I'm looking forward to some more!'
Winner of Tuesday's windy race Zach Railey (USA) picked up a 13th and a 10th Thursday to drop to eighth overall. He said, 'It is interesting that it is so shifty. With the wind coming of the cliff face, it makes for large direction changes in the breeze that are hard to pick up on. The sailors that have done that the best have come out on top in the races.' As for the venue, he said, 'The facilities are fantastic and the race management has been top notch.'
The Finns sail their final qualification races Friday starting at 10.55, with the medal race for the top 10 on Saturday.
Class website:
www.finnclass.org
Event website:
www.skandiasailforgoldregatta.co.uk
Video clips:
www.youtube.com/thefinnchannel
Results:
www.sailracer.co.uk/events/18401/Finn.htm
by Robert Deaves IFA
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