| ROTA, BAY OF CADIZ-(23-9-2003) Such an exciting day today in the final phase of the 470 Worlds as part of the ISAF World Sailing Championships in Cadiz. Some very close racing and change of results swapped many predictions on the outcome of this Championship.
As the Title cannot be taken away from Sofia Bekatorou / Emilia Tsoulfa (GRE) at the 470 Women, the situation at the Men got more exciting then anyone could have predicted or hoped for.
Race 9 got underway after four general recalls. Sailors got more careful when the “Black Flag” was set at the starting vessel at the 3rd attempt to start up the 10th Men’s Gold Fleet race. 13 boats of 35, got disqualified during the 4th attempt.
Nick Rogers / Joe Glanfield (GBR) showed the Fleet a secret that they kept all the event by rounding the upper mark in first position, ahead of the of the group still in the race for the Title. Gustavo Martinez / Dimas Wood (ESP) managed to take over the lead to round the upper mark in 1st position at the second upwind track, letting no one touch his position..
Directly after the start of race 10, the Fleet split itself up, half the Fleet hunting the upper mark on the right side, the other half over the left. Very close racing brought the Fleet to the gate downwind. Counting positions around the mark was impossible as they approached in bulk. Nathan Wilmot / Malcolm Page (AUS), who have said to “just be patient” didn’t leave it by just talking and set their minds to win the race
Gustavo Martinez looks happy and excited about today`s gains.
Still concentrated on his current situation he tells his plans for tomorrow:
“ We will be close to our opponents, and fight boat by boat. Last year at the Worlds in Italy we had a similar situation where we lost and became third. We will try to use our experiences and try to avoid making the same mistakes” he said
Gabrio Zandona has said the words earlier this week. “It will be harder to defend and retain the lead at the end.” In race 10 today, the Italians that have been ruling all the event, simply gave away their best cards by finishing 15th. Even if they would have done a reasonable 5th, they would still have been 10 points ahead of the overall number 2.
Current standings show Australia’s Nathan Wilmot / Malcolm Page climbing today into a third position, with 47 points, only 5 points away from Italy´s Gabrio Zandona / Andrea Trani who have been ruling the complete event in the Men’s Fleet, followed by Gutstavo Martinez Doreste / Dimas Wood that share the same amount of points as they took advantage of the losses of the Italian guys.
This means, this World Championship might end into a “sail off”, featuring Italy, Spain and Australia in back position.
If the group would be nervous at the starting line such as happened today, also the Black Flag could wave the Championship into another direction and give chances to sailors that are currently waiting in second line of the podium.
Ingrid Petitjean / Nadege Douroux (FRA) have claimed their chances for Silver today by sailing a 2nd and 4th position, bringing them to 50 points, 1 ahead of Jenny Armstrong / Belinda Stowell. (AUS) “ We had a good start, good tactics and very good speed upwind “ Nadege said. After a disappointing 19th position of the Australian girls in the 9th race, the recovered with a 1st in the last race today. This gives them good cards to be at the podium with Greece and France. Still, as we have learned all through the Championship, results are as unpredictable as the circumstances here at the Bay of Cadiz.
Tomorrow the last race of the event will answer all questions, starting at 12am.
For more information and results, visit the event web site at www.cadizworlds2003.com or the Intl 470 Class web site at www.470.org
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