In today’s unpredictable conditions the first race for blue and red fleets was planned at 12.00 but the Southern wind had not established itself yet. After a delay, the races started with light conditions resulting in many general recalls. Then, the wind reached 18 knots in the gusts but dropped when the second groups reached their courses. Therefore the second groups only sailed 2 races as against the 3 for the first groups. The Australian team of Chris NICHOLSON and Gary BOYD agreed that today races were more tricky than day one. Gary said: “On the first race, we started too early and went the wrong way so we deserved our 8th in the first race. We could have won the second but with the shifty conditions we still managed to stay in the top group.”

There are many young and new teams fighting with the top sailors that are going to the Games next August. Gary Boyd said it was great for the class. The surprise came from the British team of David EVANS and Rick PEACOCK who won the second race. They sailed a 29er together for the last two years winning the 29er Worlds in Spain last year. They started sailing the 49er in September. Rick said: “This is our first international event. We came here to get more experience and more training. We will probably be in the Silver fleet but next year we hope to make the Gold fleet. We are training with the other British and have learnt a lot from them. We may prepare for the Games of 2008 or 2012.”

On the other course, the Irish team of Tom FITZPATRICK and Fraser BROWN were leading with a first and a second places. Unfortunately they had to come ashore after breaking a cap shroud. They were delighted with the results especially because after a car accident Fraser has some neck problems. They didn’t know if they would do the regatta but they decided to play with the others. Tom said: “You have to be tough in this game!.” He added with a smile that they managed to win the race by port tacking the fleet at the start!
 

Source: Camille Parrain (As Amended by ISAF Secretariat)