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Olympic Ahead after First Day of Racing
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| Mumm 30 World Championship - Olympic Ahead after First Day of Racing |
| PORTOFERRAIO, ITALY-(8-10-2003) Competitors at the Mumm 30 worlds had lots of time in the morning to sip espresso in the cafes along the waterfront while waiting for the 35 knot wind to die down enough to set a race course. That may explain why they were anxious enough to merit five general recalls before finally starting the only race that was completed on day one of the world championship regatta. The third and fourth attempts at starting were under a Z flag (20% penalty after restarting properly without going around the ends) and the fifth trial start was signalled with a black flag, which kept seven competitors off the race course. The wind dropped to 12-14 knots by the start of the race, and continued to drop to around 8 knots by the end. The waves were not so cooperative, and the water was extremely choppy. Olympus tactician Tommaso Chieffi asked if the organizers could `make the bumps go away` for the next day of racing.
The young Swiss team on board Olympic enjoyed a great race in the somewhat unusual conditions to get the first win of the series, crossing the finish line three boat lengths before the next boat. A good start was credited with the success of Olympic, who rounded the first weather mark of the four leg course in third place. The breeze was patchy, and they found more on the left side of the course, and moved into the lead on the second beat by going that way.
It was a close race for second between Claudio Rechhi and Carla Umbertalli's Italian entry, Cheyenne and Bitipi. They were catching waves in close succession, but Cheyenne was fortunate to catch the last wave to carry them over the line for second place.
Racing continues tomorrow with a moderate northwest wind of 12-18 knots predicted. Three races are scheduled, but more may be raced if the conditions are good.
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Source: Renee Mehl |
