The Finals Have Started!

Two days before the conclusion of the ISAF Word Sailing Games, and whilst some events look secure for the podium, other events provided several surprises.

The first one came from the wind which was forecast to be virtually non-existent and which finally came through blowing enough to cause some breakages. The second surprise was to be found in the J/80 fleet, with a tough fight between the British helmed by Ian Williams and the French helmed by defending champion François Brénac. The French crew have now lost their grip on the top ranking to be equal first with Williams. It is still all open in this event.

In the J22 fleet, Christine Briand (FRA) kept tight hold of her first place overall and is virtually certain to be on the podium. A similar situation is reflected with the domination in the men’s and women’s boards, with both events currently led by Italian sailors, Andréa Cucchi in the men’s fleet and Alessandra Sensini in the women’s, both looking untouchable and assured of Gold Medals.

Today saw the start of the final series for the events which had a qualifying series, being the keelboat men – J/80, keelboat women – J/22 and single-handed dinghy open – Laser. After the qualifying series, the fleet is then split into a Gold and Silver fleet, with the Gold fleet sailing for medals. This saw the top 20 boats in the J/80, top 9 in the J/22 and top 38 in the Laser sailing in the Gold fleets, with the rest of the respective fleets sailing silver.

Single-handed Dinghy Men – Laser
The King is back! Robert Scheidt, king of the Laser Class, swept into top spot in the fleet after today’s two races, in the 38 boat Gold fleet. Whilst Robert has only won one race, his consistency has prevailed and Gareth Blanckeberg (RSA), who posted a 7 and 19, compared to Scheidt’s two 3rds moved off the top slot which he has held since the beginning of the regatta. A bullet for Andreas Geritzer (AUT) brings him up into the top 10 in the Gold fleet, and Edward Wright (GBR) took his first bullet today in Race 5 to move up 10th from 16th. It really is still all open in this tightly contested fleet with a number of sailors in medal contention.

Top 10 Results After 7 Races
1. SCHEIDT ROBERT (BRA) – 6, 4, 3, 3, 1, 3, 3 – 17.00
2. BIRGMARK DANIEL (SWE) – 1, 10, 2, 2, 2, 7, 19 – 24.00
3. BLANCKENBERG GARETH (RSA) – 4, 2, 5, 1, 2, 13, 15 – 27.00
4. SUNESON KARL (SWE) – 21, 5, 6, 2, 5, 2, 8 – 28.00
5. GERITZER ANDREAS (AUT) – 19, 2, 13, 4, 8, 1, 1 – 29.00
6. CHIMONAS EVAGELOS (GRE) – 1, 6, 4, 4, 8, 9, 7 – 30.00
7. ARAPOV MATE (CRO) – 7, 3, 14, 7, 4, 10, 2 – 33.00
8. WRIGHT EDWARD (GBR) – 22, 6, 10, 11, 1, 4, 4 – 36.00
9. ZBOGAR VASILIJ (SLO) – 2, 8, 2, 9, 7, 12, 11 – 39.00
10. SUOAMALAINEN ROOPE (FIN) – 2. 11, 1, 5, 6, 27, 17 – 42.00

Full Laser Results
http://212.30.115.34/ffv/public/evenement/2002/ISAF/results/LA.txt

Single-handed Dinghy Women – Laser Radial
What a surprise for Sophie Turkheim, who posted her first result out of the top 10 in race 11 today. Not too much a problem as it counts as her discard, to still leave her with a clear 25 point margin on her nearest rival, Katarzyna Skotynska (POL).

Ciara Peelo (IRL) will be pleased with her first bullet of the series today, along with Crotia’s Gea Barbie who took a bullet in today’s final race. Whilst Sophie looks safe a the top with the Gold Medal hers for the taking, it is still relatively open behind her, with still all to play for.

Top 10 Results After 13 Races
1. DE TURKHEIM SOPHIE (FRA) – 1, 1, 1, 3, 2, 1, 1, 1, 3, 1, 11, 1, 2 – 15.00
2. SZOTYNSKA KATARZYNA (POL) – 2, 2, 2, 2, 5, 2, 5, 4, 2, 6, 25, 9, 8 – 40.00
3. BARBIE GEA (CRO) – 3, 3, 3, 9, 14, 4, 2, 3, 9, 16, 6, 2, 1 – 45.00
4. POWRIE MIRANDA (NZL) – 6, 11, 15, 1, 8, 5, 7, 6, 8, 20, 7, 5, 4 – 68.00
5. NEVIEROV LARISSA (ITA) – 4, 8, 8, 24, 6, 3, 10, 9, 11, 13, 10, 3, 7 – 79.00
6. CASEY HALL ALISON (AUS) – 5, 4, 12, 16, 4, 9, 6, 5, 18, 24, 5, 7, 6 – 79.00
7. DE PLANQUE MARION (FRA) – 14, 6, 20, 5, 11, 12, 3, 8, 5, 10, 24, 8, 3 – 85.00
8. PEELO CIARA, (IRL) – 8, 12, 9, 6, 3, 10, 12, 14, 6, 9, 1, 14, 17 – 98.00
9. MULLER NICKY, (GBR) – 11, 9, 14, 14, 13, 8, 9, 12, 12, 5, 13, 4, 9 – 105.00
10. RASA KEAMIA, (CAN) – 15, 5, 10, 10, 12, 7, 15, 7, 19, 2, 27, 12, 13 – 108.00

Full Laser Radial Results
http://212.30.115.34/ffv/public/evenement/2002/ISAF/results/4M.txt

Double-handed Dinghy Women – 470
3 races were sailed on Monday in the double handed women’s event in the 470 . Australian crew Jenny Armstrong and Belinda Stowell, Gold medallists at the Sydney Olympics, took another victory to maintain their lead. However, the French crew of Ingrid Petitjean/Nadège Douroux continued to sail consistently taking a2nd, 4th and 2nd to lie 11 points behind the Aussies. Only four points behind the French are the Spanish crew of Natalia Via Dufresne/Sandra Azon who took their first bullet in today’s race 8, further securing their third overall. There is a considerable 11 point margin between the Spanish and the next placed French crew in 4th.

French sailor Marie Riou, Anne Claire Le Berre’s crew mate ranking 4th at the provisory general results said: “The first race was awful ! The wind was completely crazy, sometimes very calm and then strong again, just a nightmare ! The wind got very strong reaching some times over 20 to 25 knots and certain boats were damaged, including the Greek World Champions who tore their spinnaker. However, the strong wind is a delight for us and finally the day ended up very good for our crew!”

Australian Belinda Stowell, Jenny Armstrong’s crew, ranking 1st at the provisional overall results commented: “It was a very interesting race and with the World’s very best sailors it looks a little bit like a series World Championship. The only major difference are the boats which need to be trimmed just a little bit more than usual. Further, we do not dare to sail the boats at their maximum, so we are less aggressive and probably not as fast as usual.”

So after 10 races Armstrong/Stowell look safe at the top, a position they have dominated since Race 1. Behind them all to play for, but there is no doubt that the current World and European Champions Sofia Bekatorou/Emilia Tsoulfa (GRE) do not have a chance to defend their Bronze medal position from the 1998 ISAF Worlds, with two OCS’s, a DNF and DNC against them and sitting on a total points score of 127.00.

Top 10 Results After 8 Races
1. ARMSTRONG JENNY/STOWELL BELINDA (AUS) – 1, 1, 4, 1, 11, 18, 1, 3 – 22.00
2. PETITJEAN INGRID/DOUROUX NADEG (FRA) – 11, 3, 9, 13, 2, 2, 4, 2 – 33.00
3. VIA DUFRESNE NATALIA/AZON SANDRA (ESP) – 2, 5, 11, 6, 7, 16, 5, 1 – 37.00
4. LE BERRE ANNE CLAIRE/RIOU MARI (FRA) – 13, 6, 3, 15, 13, 6, 2, 5 – 48.00
5. KLIGER LINUR/FABRIKANT ANAT (ISR) – 14, 10, 2, 7, 14, 28, 10, 6 – 63.00
6. KORNICKI NIKE/BUSKILA VERED (ISR) – 8, 2, 28, 4, 3, 30, 15, 4 – 64.00
7. SAARIKALLIO MARIA/DIESEN MARIA (FIN) – 29, 18, 14, 3, 5, 14, 3, 10 – 67.00
8. PROVAN JEN/GIRKE NIKOLA (CAN) – 4, 15, 6, 14, 4, 12, 18, 13 – 64.00
9. OREL JANJA/OREL ALENKA (SLO) – 5, 8, 5, 21, 15, 4, 19, 18 – 74.00
10. MC DOWELL KATIE/KINSOLVING ISA (USA) – 21, 9 ,22, 5, 9, 7, 23, 7 – 80.00

Full 470 Results
http://212.30.115.34/ffv/public/evenement/2002/ISAF/results/4W.txt

Multihull Open – Hobie 16
The take over happened today, as Silver Sydney Olympic medallist Darren Bundock with crew Mark Padgett confirmed his performance on the multihull open event to go into the lead, taking over from fellow-country man and reigning Hobie 16 world champion, Gavin Colby/Simone Matfield. Colby was leading the racing this morning, but suffering from a foot injury, he had a problem holding his position. The 1994 ISAF World Champions Enrique Figueroa/Carla Malatrasi continue to sit tight in second place. Whilst they briefly held pole position during races 3 and 4, they only today moved back up to second. A disappointing today for defending ISAF World Champions Shaun Ferry/Alison Ball who put in a disappointing 21st in today’s first race (Race 6), to assist in knocking them back from third overall where they had been looking quite secure to 7th, and behind team mates and 1994 bronze medallists Blaine Dodds/Steve Arnold. Again all to play for and a further 10 races still scheduled, although realistically unlikely to be completed. However, we can hope for another 6 races if the wind holds.

Top 10 Results After 8 Races
1. BUNDOCK DARREN/PADGETT MARK (AUS) – 7, 8, 1, 1, 8, 1, 13, 3 – 29.00
2. FIGUEROA ENRIQUE/MALATRASI CARLA (PUR) – 6, 1, 2,OCS, 16, 4, 1, 5 – 35.00
3. RENAUD CHRISTOPHE/ROSSOLLIN AL (FRA) – 4, 7, 8, 9, 4, 5, 2, 16 – 39.00
4. COLBY GAVIN/MATFIELD SIMONE (AUS) – 2, 9, 5, 3, 3, 18, 12, 6 – 40.00
5. SUCHANEK FRANCK/STEINHAGEN BRI (GER) – 5, 10, 7, 5, 9, 30, 4, 1 – 41.00
6. DODDS BLAINE/ARNOLD STEVE (RSA) – 12 15, 3, 2, 5, 2, 3 15 – 42.00
7. FERRY SHAUN/BALL ALISON (RSA) – 9, 2 10, 6, 2 21, 5, 8 – 42.00
8. SONINO ALBERTO/GUARNIERI ADRIA (ITA) – 1, 3, 13, 10, 7, 11, 11, 7 – 50.00
9. FARROW MARK/WARD STEVE (GBR) – 18, 5, 12, 4, 1, 22, 10, 9 – 59.00
10. COYON GUILLAUME/MILLIERET LUCA (FRA) – 3, 14, 24, 11, 12, 3, 25, 2 – 69.00

Full Hobie 16 Results
http://212.30.115.34/ffv/public/evenement/2002/ISAF/results/HM.txt

Multihull Women – Hobie 16
No change at the top with the same three crews holding the top three positions. A good result and first bullet for Australia’s Belinda Zanesco/Naomi Angwin in today’s final race (Race 10) which moved them up one spot overall to 6th. Again, similar to the mutihull open event, whilst the top looks safe, there is all to play for behind.

Top 10 Results After 10 Races
1. DUVIGNAC MARIE/JAPHET CLAIRE (FRA) – 4, 1, 1, 2, 4, 1, 7, 6, 2, 3 – 24.00
2. DELORY FLORENCE/LE GAC LAURIAN (FRA) – 3, 3, 7, 4, 1, 6, 1, 1, 4, 4 – 27.00
3. KORZENIEWSKI SUSAN/O’ CONNOR STEPHANIE (USA) – 9, 4, 4, 1, 8, 4, 6, 3, 6, 1 – 37.00
4. BERTINI ALESSIA/POLI SARA (ITA) – 6, DNC, 3, 10, 3, 9, 4, 2, 5, 2 – 44.00
5. FORSHAW ELLEN/DEYES JENNY (GBR) – 2, DNF, 5, 3, 5, 8, 2, 5, 7, 7 – 44.00
6. ZANESCO BELINDA/ANGWIN NAOMI (AUS) – 1, DNC, 2, 9, OCS, 2, 5, 7, 1, 5 – 48.00
7. MARSHALL KAMI/SCOTT HELEN (GBR) – 5, 2, 8, 12, 2, 7, 3, 11, 8, 13 – 58.00
8. ANGIONI CECILIA/GESSA VALENTIN (ITA) – 10, DNC, 9, 5, 6, 11, 8, 4, 10, 8 – 71.00
9. BUHRMANN JANA/MC LAREN PHILIPP (NAM) – 7, DNC, 6, 11, 7, 5, 10, 8, 12, 12 – 78.00
10. LLABRES ELVIRA/PINILLA VILLOSL (ESP) – 11, DNF, 12, 7, 12, 12, 12, 9, 3, 11 – 89.00

Full Hobie 16 Results
http://212.30.115.34/ffv/public/evenement/2002/ISAF/results/HW.txt

Keelboat Men – J/80
The first day of the final series has brought a little bit of a change in fortunes, with the British team helmed by Ian Williams, being the top performers of the day taking a 1st and 2nd in the first two races, to propel them to equal first with the defending French Champions after 6 races. Conversely, François Brénac and his crew notched up their worst result of the racing so far, taking an 11th.

However, the French redeemed themselves and got back on form to take a bullet this afternoon, and a one point lead over the British, who drop back to second overall. Behind them the competitors are very close and anything can still happen before the end of the competition on Wednesday.

Paul Ambroise Sevestre, helmsman of one of the two French J80 entries, commented: “The wind increased steadily and when it seriously turned from south east, the race became favourable on the left hand side. During the second race our crew got mixed up with the J22’s. Some were bothered, whereas other competitors managed to take advantage of the situation, such as François Brénac who moved up from 10th to 1st position. François and the Bristish crew are in the leading positions. However, there are 7 to 8 boats who have the potential and are able to be on the podium.”

Top 10 Results After 8 Races
1. BRENAC/ FERRAN/ROHART/ FOUCHIER (FRA) – 1, 1, 3, 2, 1, 6, 1 – 9.00
2. WILLIAMS/ LLEWELLYN/NICHOLLS/WILLIAMS (GBR) – 1, 1, 15, 3, 1, 2, 2 – 10.00
3. SOMMARIVA/ BROCCANELLO/MUNGO (ITA) – 4, 4, 10, 1, 4, 1, 7 – 21.00
4. MONNIN/ MONNIN/MONNIN/ HEUSS (SUI) – 6, 2, 6, 1, 12, 13, 9 – 36.00
5. SEVESTRE/LE HELLEY/CAJOULLE/WARGNIER (FRA) – 5, 5, 1, DSQ, 2, 5, DSQ – 38.00
6. SEGER/WITTICH/GOOD/TRACHSEL (SUI) – 3, 13, 4, 5, 12, 8, 6 – 38.00
7. BROTHERTON/ LEASK/RUSSEL/ NEARN (GBR) – 3, 8 , 2, 6, 10, 10, 18 – 39.00
8. BARKELIUS/RODEBACK/FYLKING/JOHANSSON (SWE) – 9, 7, 7, 5, 3, 16, 8 – 39.00
9. MILLEN/REESE/MC GLAUGHLIN/BROWN (CAN) – 7, 7, 13, 4, 6, 7, 10 – 41.00
10. HATAKEYAMA/AIZAWA/NAKAZAWAKUME (JPN) – 12, 16, 11, 2, 3, 3, 11 – 42.00

Full J/80 Results
http://212.30.115.34/ffv/public/evenement/2002/ISAF/results/J8.txt

Keelboat Women – J/22
The domination of the French crew, helmed by Christine Briand is confirmed each day. In today’s races, the French crew won the first race, whereas her closed rivals including the New Zealander Karleen Dixon and crew and Britains Cordelia Ellis and crew finished 6th and 7th.

Two days before the end of the World Sailing Games, the French crew has a very comfortable lead (10 points) with only one “poor” result of a 4th place. In comparison, her rivals each have a RDG (redress) hearing underway, which at the time of writing is still in the protest room. So whilst Gold looks safe for the French, the competition for the silver and bronze medals remains open.

Karleen Dixon, New Zealander helmswoman in the J22 series ranked 2nd overall in the Gold Fleet, said: “It is a very tight competition particularly for us as we only did sail one time on a J22 series before we came to Marseille. Still it is very interesting to race here as all boats are similar and equally equiped. Financially speaking it is also a good deal. We had no idea about our possible score when we came over to Marseille and remaining in the top 3 would be quite good.”

Top 10 Results (Gold Fleet) After 9 Races
1. BRIAND/ BOUR/DENTRAYGUES/ PROUVOT (FRA) – 2, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 1, 1, 4 -10.00
2. DIXON/ ROBERTS/EGNOT/ LIND MIT (NZL) – ,1, 2, 1, 1, 2, 3, RDG, 6, 9 – 20.00
3. WALTERS/ GOJNICH/BRISBOIS KARY (AUS) – 2, 3, 7, 5, 1, 1, RDG, 5, 2 – 21.00
4. CONTI/ BORONI/MARENZI/ MAZZOTT (ITA) – 4 ,4, 3, 4, 4, 4, 2, 2, 1 – 24.00
5.ELLIS/ ALLAN/LEASK/ WEBB (GBR) – 1, 1, OCS, 2, 3, 1, 5, 7, 8 – 28.00
6.HUDSON/KEYTEL/MC ARTHUR/SCHABORT (RSA) – 5, 3, 4, 5, 2, 6, RDG, 3, 6 – 31.00
7.ZILLIMAN/MCDOWELL/WULFF/HAWKINS(USA) – 4, 4, 3, 2, 6, 7, 9, 4, 5 – 35.00
8.PROVOYEUR/COETZEE/FOORD/ALISON (RSA) – 3, 6, 5, 6, 5, 5, 3, 8, 3 – 36.00
9.SPITHILL/ROBERTS./BULLOUGH/MATTHEWS (AUS) – 8, 8, 6, 4, 3, 2, RDG, 9, 7 – 39.00

Full J/22 Results
http://212.30.115.34/ffv/public/evenement/2002/ISAF/results/J2.txt

Boards Men – Bic Techno
The board sailors were the first ones surprised by the south-eastern wind steadily increasing during the first race. After today’s races both Alessandra Sensini and Eugénie Rafin (FRA) look assured of medals, but behind them the fleet remains open.

With the increased wind, the Race Committee chose to move the course to a rather more protected race area, and at the time of writing the second race of today, race 8, had just finished; with a possible race 9 and 10 yet to be sailed tonight.

Top 10 Results After 8 Races
1. CUCCHI ANDREA (ITA) – 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 5, 4 – 10.00
2. SCHURMANN WILHELM (BRA) – OCS, 2, 2, 3, 2, 3, 1, 1 – 14.00
3. MENEGATTI ALBERTO (ITA) – 6, 4, 3, 2, 4, 2, 7, 5 – 26.00
4. BONTEMPS JULIEN (FRA) – 5, 9, 7, 10, 6, 6, 3, 3 – 39.00
5. MOUSSILMANI BENOIT (FRA) – 2, 3, 4, DNC, 3, 4, DNC, 2 – 41.00
6. MC GRATH CHRIS (PUR) – 12, 5, 8, 5, 5, 12, 2, 7 – 44.00
7. NELSON MICHAEL (AUS) – 4, 7, 6, 4, 8, 7, DNC, 9 – 45.00
8. JACKSON ALAN (GBR) – 8, 10, 5, 6, 11, 10, 6, 8 – 53.00
9. OBEREMKO MAKSYM (UKR) – 3, 6, 12, DNC, 7, 5, DNC, 6 – 62.00
10. OWENS MAURICE (IRL) – 16, 15, DNC, 7, 9, 13, 4, 13 – 77.00

Full Bic Techno Results
http://212.30.115.34/ffv/public/evenement/2002/ISAF/results/BM.txt

Boards Women – Bic Techno

Top 10 Results After 8 Races
1. SENSINI ALESSANDRA (ITA) – 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 – 7.00
2. RAFFIN EUGENIE (FRA) – 7, 2, 8, 3, 2, 3, 2, 3 – 22.00
3. VIDAL LISE (FRA) – 2, 6, 2, 6, 3, 4, DNC, 2 – 25.00
4. SHREEVE ALLISON (AUS) – 8, 4, 4, 4, 4, 2, DNC, 7 – 33.00
5. JOHNSTON CHRISTINE (GBR) – 6, 5, 7, 2, 5, 5, DNC, 5 – 35.00
6. ZHANG CHUJUN (CHN) – 3, 3, 3, 9, 6, 7, DNC, 4 – 35.00
7. CARTWRIGHT HELEN (GBR) – 4, 7, 6, 5, 8, 6, DNC, 9 – 45.00
8. MASLYVETS OLGA (UKR) – 9, 8, 5, 7, 9, 9, DNC, 6 – 53.00
9. LIU WEIMING (CHN) – 5 DSQ OCS, 8, 7, 8, DNC, 8 – 68.00
10. MARIOTT KAREN (USA) – RAF, 9, 10, 10, 11, 10,DNC, 10 – 76.00

Full Bic Techno Results
http://212.30.115.34/ffv/public/evenement/2002/ISAF/results/BW.txt

King’s Trophy For Top Overall Nation
No change at the top, with France still holding the points margin.

1. France 40 pts
2. Italy 36 pts
3. Australia 35 pts
4. Great Britain 31 pts
5. South Africa 28 pts
6. Sweden 23 pts
7. Spain 22 pts
8. USA 19 pts
9. Brazil 17 pts
10. New Zealand 16 pts