Day Six

Another great day’s racing with three races in 12-17 knots and the scene is set for the final two races of a classic regatta held in near-perfect conditions.

The scoreboard shows a knife-edge situation. Mathematically seven sailors from seven countries and four continents can still win the championship. Defending champion Filip MATIKA (CRO), who is still just twelve years old, seems to have hit the front at the right time but his lead over 2002 South American champion Sebastian PERIRUSA (ARG) is just five points. In third place at present is Jason SPANOMANOLIS (GRE) who had remained unnoticed until the second discard but now reveals ten races in single figures. Bermuda’s Jesse KIRKLAND in fourth has good (12 + 14) discards and may go all out for gold.

There will not be a female winner this year. Hannah MILLS is still nursing her fear of a third OCS and sailed conservatively yesterday (10-13-7) but this was enough to put her 47 points ahead of her closest rival for the Girls’ medal Alessandra FERLICH who was on the wrong side of a nasty windshift in the last race of the day.

The Miami Herald Trophy for the combined scores of the four best sailors seems destined for Great Britain through the efforts of Hannah and the three Royal Lymington sailors, long-term leader Greg CAREY, 10th placed Richard MASON and Robbie CLARIDGE. If so it will reward a remarkable resurgence over the past few years of one of
IODA’s founder members.

Top Ten After 13 Races