| Buenos Aires, Argentina - The Australians Darren Bundock & Glenn Ashby and Argentineans Santiago Lange & Carlos Espinola had an excellent day having each a bullet and a second on today's races.
The weather forecast was not very promising for this Saturday but as the locals say 'The Rio de La Plata will not let you down'.
Race 7 went underway with a steady 8-10 knots NE breeze. The left was the way to go.
ARG Santiago Lange & Carlos Espinola rounded the weather mark in first followed closely by AUS Darren Bundock & Glenn Ashby. The Belgium team of Carolijn Brouwer & Sebbe Godefroid in third. The Ozzies got the best out of the pressure and took the lead half-way up the second upwind. The Belgiums rounded the second upwind in second but the Argentineans recovered the position and had a close last downwind with the leaders and winners of the race, Darren Bundock & Glenn Ashby. The Belgiums crossed the line in third.
Over a 100 spectators' boats were watching the races today. It was truly an amazing view to see so many people enjoying the performance of the Tornados and cheering for every boat that crossed the finishing line.
The wind picked up to 12-14 knots for Race 8. Once again AUS Darren Bundock & Glenn Ashby took an early lead with 2005 World Champions ESP Fernando Echavarri & Anton Paz in second. ARG Santiago Lange & Carlos Espinola got ahead of the Ozzies on the last beat. The two teams had a head to head downwind and the Argentineans took the bullet for the delight of the local supporters. ESP Fernando Echavarri & Anton Paz finished third.
AUS Darren Bundock & Glenn Ashby have been sailing a very consistent regatta and are leading by 13 points. The AUT Roman Hagara & Hans Peter Steinacher are holding the second position - the team had an 11th and a 4th today - with ARG Santiago Lange & Carlos Espinola 6 points behind them in third.
The last 2 races are scheduled for 13h00 tomorrow with the Prize Giving Ceremony scheduled for 19h30.
Top 5 after 8 races (1 discard)
1 AUS Darren Bundock & Glenn Ashby 17 pts
2 AUT Roman Hagara & Hans Peter Steinacher 30 pts
3 ARG Santiago Lange & Carlos Espinola 36 pts
4 GER Johannes Polgar & Florian Spalteholz 53 pts
4 GRE Iordanis Paschaladis & Constantinos Trigonis 59 pts
| 