Bonezzi Takes The Lead

The Contender World Championships at the Sail Melbourne Regatta will come down to the wire after today’s race on Port Phillip Bay.

It was current World Champion, Arthur Brett’s (VIC) turn to swim today – and he did so while leading the race. It cost him dearly; Italy’s Andrea Bonezzi took the lead and never looked back. Brett recovered quickly enough to take 2nd place.

Both Bonezzi and Brett were seen at Black Rock Yacht Club after the race wielding protest forms – whether they were protesting against each other is unclear at this stage.

The World Championship consists of seven races, competitors dropped their worst race after today’s fifth race. This leaves Bonezzi with 5 points – one point clear of Brett, who has 6 points.

Bonezzi had the swim in yesterday’s Race 4, but never recovered to finish 10th – this is the race he has dropped to take the lead, whilst Brett’s worst result was a 3rd placing.

Meanwhile, the Great Britain’s Tim Holden had a bad day with an 8th placing, however he still holds 3rd place overall with 10 points, dropping today’s race.

The next-best placed Contender is Australia’s Philip Dubbin with 18 points, followed by Jan Von Der Bank (Germany) with 23 points.

Winds on Port Phillip Bay today were bitingly cold and in the 15-18 knot range from the south. The Contender’s still have two races to go, one to be sailed tomorrow and the final on Saturday, with the top three placegetters in the box seat.

Overall results:

1 ITAAndrea Bonezzi5.00 pts,1.00 (10.00) 1.00 1.00 2.00
2 AUSArthur Brett6.00 pts,2.00 1.00 (3.00) 2.00 1.00
3 GBRTim Holden10.00 pts,(8.00) 2.00 2.00 3.00 3.00
4 AUSPhilip Dubbin18.00 pts,4.00 3.00 7.00 (7.00) 4.00
5 GERJan Von Der Bank23.00 pts,6.00 8.00 4.00 5.00 (10.00)
6 AUSTim Hill24.00 pts,(13.00) 6.00 9.00 4.00 5.00
7 AUSSteven Grimes29.00 pts,9.00 5.00 8.00 (16.00) 7.00
8DENSoren Andreasen33.00 pts,5.00 4.00 11.00 (14.00) 13.00
9 AUSJohn Lindholm33.00 pts,(14.00) 7.00 6.00 9.00 11.00
10 AUSGrant Robinson43.00 pts,3.00 11.00 15.00 (64.00F)14.00