Close Points At The Fireball Worlds

Day four of the Fireball Worlds belonged to the Australians of Ben Schulz and Tom Sheppard ending the day with a first and a second.

Just four points separate the top three going into the last day of the Fireball Worlds, Schulz and Sheppard moved into third just two points behind Nathan Bachelor and Sam Pascoe (GBR), Christian Birrell and Sam Brearey (GBR) managed to hold onto their lead but only by one point.

Thomas Gordon and Jack Fletcher (AUS) had a solid day with a third and a forth, they move into forth overall but are still out of touch with the leaders.

Whilst the front of the fleet is fighting out for the podium positions, the real race among the league of nations is in the middle of the fleet with places changing on every beat and small mistakes proving very costly. Conditions in Race 7 were windy with the advantage being on the left hand side of the first beat. The reaches proved quite challenging for many of the sailors, one small mistake cost you many positions.

The wind increased as Race 8 got underway with the whole fleet being very close together at the first mark, the front boats sailed away from the rest, leaving a mid-fleet battle.

Christina Haerdi-Landerer and Cedric Landerer (SUI) capsized on the mark and there were several out of control boats blasting down the reach. The run settled everyone down except for Bryan and William Sargeant (GBR) who capsized allowing the pack to get away. The last reach was very tight with many sailors opting to white sail reach, with no speed loss the finish was very close.

Going into the last two races it is all to play for, conditions are forecast to be slightly lighter. There are positions to defend and attacks to be made which will lead to an extremely exciting last day on the water at the Fireball Worlds.

Results

Highlights from the fourth day of racing at ISAF Sailing World Cup Mallorca

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