Spanish Dominating In Top Three Places

Yesterday saw excellent sailing conditions, with the wind blowing 6 to 7 knots with calm sea throughout the three races.

The first race scheduled for 10h00, only began at 10h50, because of some changes in the regatta course due to shifting winds. The Italians F. Zampacavallo & C. Francalacci (ITA) outperformed the overall leaders E. Belzunce & M. Alvarez (ESP) going into yesterday’s racing, to take a bullet

However, despite their demise the Spanish sailors filled 8 of the top 10 places in the first race, demonstrating their skill in this class.

The second race which saw the same weather conditions, began with two recalls and then started under the black flag rule. The history of the race repeated with the dominance of the Spanish teams, now with the Europe champions in the top places, with Zampacavallo & C. Francalacci (ITA) switching places with J. Porto & A . Martin (ESP).

The third race, was again a repeat of that which had gone before, with the top three places taken by the Spanish boats, 1º E. Belzunce & M. Alvarez, 2 º J. Porto & A . Martin and 3º A. Martinez & A. Rodriguez.

With less wind, yesterday’s races did not favour the teams from the host country, Portugal, with P. Bolina & A . Gonçalves dropping from 3º place to 9º overall.

72 boats are contesting this World Championship, which concludes today, Saturday, with a further three races scheduled, followed by the prize giving ceremony and closing of the Vaurien World Championship 2002.