Fearless Giard Takes Three In A Row

France’s Louis Giard put in a fearless display in the Men’s RS:X on the second day of racing at the ISAF Sailing World Cup Final in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

The Frenchman is one of the youngest competitors in the experienced pack of elite athletes and picked up three race victories to take the lead on another glamorous day in Abu Dhabi.

“It was perfect for me,” beamed Giard ashore after racing, “I scored three bullets so it was a really good day. I made good choices. Sometimes everything goes perfectly and that was certainly the case today, it was perfect. The conditions were great, sunny, a bit of wind and I’m really enjoying this week. Tomorrow I will try to keep up with the same spirit.”

With an abundance of Olympians within the fleet the youngster certainly isn’t daunted when going up against the best of the best. Blasting his way around the race track to take three excellent victories he is showing no sign of lacking big race knowledge, “It’s sometimes a bit inconvenient when you have less experience but sometimes you just have ‘young power’ and you’re fearless.

“You feel like you have more power and it’s just about enjoying it and not allowing any extra pressure.”

The young gun has a nine point lead over ISAF Sailing World Cup Qingdao gold medallist Byron Kokkalanis (GRE). Overnight leader Pawel Tarnowski (POL) was up and down on the race track, taking a 6-11-6 scoreline and drops to third overall.

Women’s RS:X

It was another great day for Bryony Shaw (GBR) as she added two more race victories to the three she worked hard for on the opening day.

The British racer has been revelling in Abu Dhabi, enjoying the conditions and the culture, and has duly been rewarded by dominating the 18-boat fleet.

Shaw started the day with a 12th place finish, which she discards but she found rhythm in Race 5. Shaw took an early lead and rounded the first mark well ahead of the chasing pack. Hei Man Chen (HKG) looked to catch up with Shaw, progressing up from ninth to second. Unfortunately for the Hong Kong racer it was too little too late as she ended up 20 seconds shy of Shaw at the finish.

The Briton then fended off charges from Charline Picon (FRA) and Flavia Tartaglini (ITA) in the final race of the day but held strong to take her fifth race win of the regatta and with it, a healthy lead.

Shaw tops the pile on five points with Picon trailing on 21 in second. Italy’s Laura Linares is third on 28 points.

Racing in the RS:X resumes at 12:00 local time on Saturday 29 November.

Live Tracking

The racing will be available to watch in 2D and 3D via the live tracking.

Click here to view live tracking.

Race Highlights

Fully-produced highlight packages from 27-30 November will be available to view on the ISAF Sailing World Cup YouTube Channel here.

Results

Results will be available straight from the water here – www.sailing.org/worldcup/results/index.php

Click here to view the entry list.

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About ISAF Sailing World Cup Final Abu Dhabi

All ten Olympic events will be contested in Abu Dhabi from 26-30 November, with an open kiteboarding event joining the fray around Lulu Island off the UAE capital’s stunning Corniche.
 
With just 20 boats in each event the competition is set to be fierce.  Equipment will be supplied in eight of the ten Olympic events (RS:X sailors shall bring their own equipment) and support will be available for travel expenses and accommodation.

The Abu Dhabi Sailing and Yacht Club will host the ISAF Sailing World Cup Final with some technical facilities located at the adjacent Abu Dhabi International Marine Sports Club. The venue is located on the main island of the city with immediate access to the beautiful waters of the Arabian Gulf.

The ten Olympic events will contest an opening series and a Medal Race with the kiteboard fleet using a short track format.  Prize money will be in awarded to the top three overall finishers in each of the Olympic events from a total prize purse of US$200,000.

The qualification system for the 2014 Final was published on 30 July 2014 and is included Addendum A of the Notice of Race.  Click here for the Notice of Race. The first sailors to secure their place were confirmed at the ISAF Sailing World Championships in Santander where the top ten in each event were offered a place.