| ROTA, BAY OF CADIZ, SPAIN-(20-9-2003) The weather conditions meant that all the races scheduled for this afternoon were postponed until 17:50; the cause being the breeze shifting in different directions at around 14:00, when the majority of the fleets had to postpone their races and wait for new instructions.
The instability effected nearly all the race areas at the three venues, and caused the cancellation of the Laser’s 2nd round of the day, which they finally were able to complete at 18:00hrs.
For some time everything came to a complete stop, making for a difficult situation in some of the Classes, especially for the Star holding the 2nd final round day.
News day 20/09/03
The situation at the moment is as follows:
Mistral –M Gold: finished
Mistral F: finished
Yngling: finished
Mistral M silver: postponed on land to complete race 10.
Star: postponed on water for change to area Delta to complete 9th and 10th races.
Tornado: postponed on the water for races 5 & 6.
Laser: postponed on water for race 6 in group D.
470 Men: postponement on land for the three groups for the 1st race (A has completed 1st) for groups B & C.
470 W: postponement on land for both groups A & B for race 6.
Finally the wind direction blowing from the South East at 7/8 knots allowed the scheduled races to finish today.
The Star, groups Gold and Silver, were the last to have their 1st race of the 2nd final round at 16:43. The French continue at no 1 (16 points) with only one day left, and only 5 points behind the Swedes skippered by Lööf, lead the rankings in their Class. Percy & team got third place of Great Britain.
The Tornado only have one more race in which Santiago Lima & Carlos Espinola won, but they are placed sixth with 17 points from the leaders, The Australians skippered by Bundock. In 2nd place McMillán and crew (GBR) and in 3rd Booth and crew (NED).
Draper & Hiscocks (GBR) with 14 points are 1st in the 49er, 2nd are Fonseca & Duarte (BRA), and separated by 1 point Marcus Baur & Max Groy (GER).
The Mistral M & W, as announced this morning, finish their competition with the victory of Miarczynski (POL) and Korsitz (ISR), who if she wins tomorrow will be the 1st woman in her country to get a Olympic Sailing World Championships title.
The Yngling Medal Presentation Ceremony was held at 20:00 where the skipper Hannah Swett (USA) and team were proclaimed champions, Schuemann and crew were runners up and the Danish crew with skipper Jensen with Bronze.
Several hours before the finalists declared their satisfaction at winning, explaining that it had been a hard competition for the medals because they are all such good friends and training companions. They are an example to the sport.
Tomorrow’s schedule is very quiet for some now that 5 out of 9 of the Olympic classes (Tornado, 49er, 470 M & F and Laser) will have a reserve day. It willbe exciting for others like the Mistral M & F and the Star who have their 3rd final round day, and the Finn who have their last qualification day before the finals.
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