Wind plays on the nerves on opening day
|
|
|
Semaine Olympique Française - Hyères - Wind plays on the nerves on opening day |
HYÈRES, FRANCE-(23-4-2006) On the opening day of the SOF, the wind played on the nerves of the racing committee and the sailors. Three classes dominated by 4 nations had to sail late in the afternoon.
On St George’s day, the British patron was probably watching closely the 49er course blessing 4 teams from Great Britain with good results. Paul Campbell James/Mark Asquith, and John Pink/Alex Hopson won their respective group in the first race placing respectively 1st and 3rd in the overall results. Usual favourites Chris Draper and Simon Hiscocks reached the 6th position after scoring a 8th and a 4th in front of team mates Stevie Morrison and Ben Rhodes (11 – 2). The second position in the rankings went to Danish Jonas Warrer and Martin Kirketerp.
The French dominated the RS:X fleet with Nicolas Huguet winning both races and Julien Bontemps 2nd overall with two 3rd places. The Polish windsurfers won also 2 races with Piotr Myszka (POL) in third position after placing 6th in the first race and winning the second while Michal Polanovski had mixed results with a first place followed by a 40th.
The Japanese ladies in the 470 class mastered the tricky sailing conditions with 3 teams in the top 5. Claiming both races, Yuka Yoshisako and Noriko Ohkuma are leading the 48 boats fleet in front of training partners Chizuko Ijima and Sayaka Kato (4-5). Ai Kondo and Naoko Kamata are in 5th place. These good results are surely a good way to cheer up their coach Aiko Saito, recovering in Palma from heart problems. The Czech team of Lenka Smidova and Elizabeth Kratzig are taking the 3rd position.
|
Source: Media Office - Corinne McKenzie |