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The Ronstan pre World's race series saw light airs test of nerves of the competitors and when the Worlds got underway proper, the wind was still very light but holding. The lighter competitors were sitting out but nobody was hiked. Half way up the first beat, Eleanor GARDNER (BER) got in phase and rounded the top with a nice six or seven boat length lead. Her nearest competitor was Lorenzo FRANCESCHINI (ITA), who cut the mark a bit close, found himself up against it and ended up losing six places after his penalty and was unable to get back in the hunt.

GARDNER continued to open up her lead all the way around the course and the win was never in doubt. In fact, it looked pretty lonely at the front at the top of the second beat!

Female competitors also took the next three spots, with Elizabeth YIN (SIN) and CHIA second and third respectively and Lauren TURNER (USA) fourth. Bermuda's William HUTCHINGS was the leading male in fifth place.

SMITH Stars

The fleet lined up for race two, which was to prove an occasion on which Malcolm SMITH (BER), a Sunfish World Champion and one of Bermuda's outstanding helmsmen, was not going to be denied. He had a nice three boat length lead at the first mark, protected it on the run, opened up some more on the second beat and finished comfortably ahead. However, a terrific race was underway from second to seventh, which ended with three Singapore boats taking second, third and fourth in the shape of Jonathan CHEW, Wilbur CHAN and CHIA.

CHIA's fourth, combined with her third in the first race has put her on top of the leaderboard with a seven point cushion over SMITH in second. YIN lies third overall tied on points with HUTCHINGS.

Top Ten

Pos	Nation	Skipper	R1	R2	Pts
1	SIN	Valerie CHIA	3	4	7
2	BER	Malcolm SMITH	13	1	14
3	SIN	Elizabeth YIN	2	12	14
4	BER	William HUTCHINGS	5	9	14
5	SIN	Michael SHEN	9	8	17
6	SIN	Jonathan CHEW	17	2	19
7	SIN	Nicolas DECRUZ	14	6	20
8	BER	Eleanor GARDNER	1	20	21
9	SIN	Wilber CHAN	19	3	22
10	BER	Stephen DICKINSON	6	17	23