June 20, 2002
2 minutes reading time
Day Two and Three Racing and Results
Both fleets completed three races on day two in a very shifty 12-16 knot breeze. Three more races were completed on day three, giving a ten race series with two discards, to decide the 25 boats who will race in the Gold Fleet today.
Both fleets completed three races on day two in a very shifty 12-16 knot breeze. Three more races were completed on day three, giving a ten race series with two discards, to decide the 25 boats who will race in the Gold Fleet today.
Day Two
The tactical specialists came out on top on day two, Chris Draper (GBR), Paul Brotherton (GBR), Chris Nicholson (USA) and Michael Hestbaek (DEN), all showing superior tactical acumen.
Brotherton commented, “It is going to be a long and difficult regatta, and it is still of prime importance to stay relaxed and focused.” Brotherton proved just how hard it would be after he was disqualified from race seven, for infringing American sailor Andy Mack at a leeward mark.
Chris Draper (GBR), sailing with Simon Hiscocks, seemed pleased with his performance today commenting, “we think we sailed well today, but on this course it is easy for the tables to turn.”
Sydney Olympians Santiago Lopez-Vazquez/Javier de la Plaza (ESP) were also disqualified today for hitting the windward mark and another boat, then only doing one of their 360-degree penalty turns.
Day Three
Chris Draper and Simon Hiscocks (GBR) had the best day in the Red Group with a 5th, and two bullets as their score line. This pulls them up to 3rd overall going into the Gold Fleet races.
Iker Martinez and Xabi Fernandez (ESP) scored a 3rd, and two 2nds in the yellow group, to pull them up to fifth overall.
Early event leaders Rodion Luka and George Leonchuk (UKR) have dropped to fourth overall, but it is extremely close on points between the top few teams.
One race was thrown out today because it was over the time limit. After a series of 18 – 20 minute races in the past few days, the race committee received feedback from competitors that the races were bit short. The race committee reacted accordingly and set a longer course with the aim of having 30 minute races. Unfortunately the adjustment made the course a little too long and by the time the lead boat completed the course, 47 minutes 58 seconds had elapsed, which, with a time limit of 45 minutes, resulted in the race being abandoned.
Today is the first day of Gold Fleet racing and racing continues through until Sunday the 22nd June.
Provisional Results After Day Three, 10 races, 2 discards
| 1 Santi Lopez-Vazquez Javier De La Plaza ESP Red 15 1 1 3 10 1 7 1 3 10, 27 pts |
| 2 Pieter Lantermans Pim Nieuwenhuis NED Yellow 8 6 3 2 1 14 12 2 4 3, 29 pts |
| 3 Chris Draper Simon Hiscocks GBR Yellow 8 8 7 7 5 3 1 5 1 1, 30 pts |
| 4 Rodion Luka George Leonchuk UKR Yellow 7 2 2 1 11 5 1 4 9 10, 31 pts |
| 5 Iker Martinez Xabi Fernandez ESP Red 26 7 1 1 9 12 8 3 2 2, 33 pts |
| 6 Pietro Sibello Gianfranco Sibello Red Group 1 5 9 26 13 4 2 4 6 7, 38 pts |
| 7 Paul Brotherton Mark Asquith GBR Red 4 12 8 2 2 2 27 10 11 3, 42 pts |
| 8 Marcus Baur Max Groy GER Yellow 14 1 2 26 3 19 4 13 2 4, 43 pts |
| 9 Chris Nicholson Michael Blackburn AUS Red 14 13 3 5 1 3 2 17 4 12, 43 pts |
| 10 Alistair Richardson Pete Greenhalgh GBR Red 6 3 4 5 8 4 10 14 8 8, 46 pts |