| BREEZE ON AT VITÓRIA BRASIL SAILING CUP |
Gusts of over 30 knots and lively sea conditions forced organizers at the Brasil Sailing Cup today to postpone racing after finishing just the first match of the fourth flight in the Round Robin Series. A total of 12 teams are on hand to compete in equally-matched SM 40’s in this second edition of the event, Stage 14 on the ’06-’07 World Match Racing Tour.
In Group A, Bjorn Hansen (SWE) and his Apport.net Team reveled in the conditions, winning all three of their first flight races. Hansen defeated Daniel Glomb (POR), Alvaro Marinho (POR), and Clare Leroy (FRA), the only women’s team competing this week after they qualified in the Brasil Women’s Sailing Cup last week. Winner of the Women’s event, Sally Barkow (USA), was unable to stay in Brasil due to other commitments, allowing second-placed Leroy to fill the slot.
Hansen’s fellow Swede and Victory Challenge helmsman Magnus Holmberg also went 3-0, defeating current Tour leader Ian Williams (GBR) in their third match. Williams led Holmberg around the last windward mark of their race but twisted their spinnaker causing a late hoist, allowing Holmberg to sail past and into the lead. Williams won his other two matches against Alvaro Marinho and Clare Leroy.
“It’s obviously disappointing not to win a race, particularly when were reasonably comfortably ahead,” commented Williams. “We managed to clean Magnus out at the start, and I felt we had a slight edge. We just need to get on top of our boat handling, particularly in these breezy conditions.”
Just one match was completed for Group B before the postponement was announced. In this match America’s Cup Team Shosholosa helmsman Paolo Cian wasted no time in defeating French skipper Pierre-Antoine Morvan.
The city of Vitoria, Capital of the Espirito Santo state, is no stranger to its windy conditions. The city is often referred to as ‘Vintoria’ derived from the Portugese translation for wind (vento) and the City’s name. Today the city lived up to its reputation however more favourable conditions are forecast for tomorrow.
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