TARANOV Leads In Russia

The first racing day of the ISAF Grade 2 Sails of White Nights match race in St. Petersburg, Russia got off to a slow start with the wind deserting the Neva River. Only twelve matches were completed with Maxim TARANOV (RUS) a surprise first day leader.

The first flight was postponed for almost two hours and throughout the entire day the wind was very light and unstable with a strong current causing even more difficulties for the sailors.

Only twelve matches out of 66 scheduled for the round robin were held. World number 72 TARANOV won all his matches and took the lead over the others. All races ran in the historic centre of St. Petersburg, just in front of Petrpavloskaya fortress and between the famous leaf bridges.

World number nine Eugeniy NEUGODNIKOV (RUS) got off to a surprisingly mixed start with two wins and two losses. Both TARANOV and World number 67 Sergey MUSIKHIN (RUS) got one over on their better known team mate.

Racing continues in Russia tomorrow, with the conclusion in St. Petersburg this Sunday.

Sails of White Nights Entrants
(Team – ISAF World Match Race Ranking)

• Eugeniy NEUGODNIKOV (RUS) – 9


• Pierre-Antoine MORVAN (FRA) – 23


• Andrew CORNAH (GBR) – 41


• Alpo KAAKINEN (FIN) – 43


• Rasmus VILTOFT (DEN) – 48


• Mahesh RAMCHANDRAN (IND) – 55


• Jon ERIKSSON (FIN) – 60


• Sergey MUSIKHIN (RUS) – 67


• Maxim TARANOV (RUS) – 72


• Johnny ISDAHL (SWE) – 76


• Petr KOCHNEV (RUS) – 163


• Aage REERSLEV (SWE) – 238