07.06.2011
International Finn Association ( http://www.finnclass.org/
Sail for Gold day one - Dan Slater wins late race
http://www.finnclass.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=252:sail-for-gold-day-one-dan-slater-wins-late-race-&catid=59:sailing-world-cup-2011&Itemid=34
Skandia Sail for Gold, the sixth leg of the 2011 ISAF Sailing World Cup started on a flat note with most classes postponed ashore waiting for the
wind. When it finally arrived the Finns got just one race in with Dan Slater (NZL) taking the gun from Ben Ainslie (GBR) and Ivan Kljakovic Gaspic
(CRO).
Most of the fleet had waited for this moment all year and they were made to wait just a little but longer for the British weather to sort out its
priorities. The early grey day gave way to a typical south coast summer's day with bright sunshine and 8-10 knots breeze. But it was 17.30 when the
Finns finally got their start away.
At the first mark Ben Ainslie (GBR) was leading followed closely by Dan Slater (NZL) and then the former double world champion, Jonas Hogh Christensen
(DEN). It was tough racing with Slater closing the gap on Ainslie on the second run, before taking the lead when Ainslie went for the wrong gate.
Slater then managed to hold him off to take first place. The current European Champion Ivan Kljakovic Gaspic (CRO) finally took third with Hogh
Christensen dropping to fourth.
Slater commented, “It was a one way track with heaps of tide. To be honest I was lucky to pop out after the start and then it was really hard for
people to pass after the first bottom mark rounding because of the current. I passed Ben at the bottom of the second run. Jonas was with us as well
but he was third most of the time.”
Many of the sailors are feeling the pressure of the regatta as several federations are using it as a selection process for either or both the test
event this August and the Olympics next year. One of those is Spain, and the favourite to win selection is Rafa Trujillo (ESP) the 2004 Silver
medalist and 2007 World Champion. He said, “It is a great opportunity to learn the race course and keep measuring myself against other Olympic
rivals. I am really motivated to see what I can achieve here. Last year in these waters I had my worst regatta of the year ending up 15th. Since the
end of Hyeres I have been working hard in the gym and hope to change my progress this season into a positive.” However, the Spaniard didn't get off
to the best start with a 16th today. "My race was a little flat. I didn't take the first shift to the left and then I lost any chance to get back any
places."
The new World No 1 is the silver medalist from the 2008 Olympics, Zach Railey (USA). For him and the other USA sailors there is a change in the
selection process this time around with results from Sail for Gold and the ISAF Sailing World Championships in Perth this December being combined to
select the team for 2012.
Railey said, “Knowing this process my index goal for this event will be to put as many boats as possible between myself and the other USA Finn
sailors, my index competition coming from Caleb Paine and Luke Lawrence. This event is the first step in a three step process we have been working
towards for quite some time so there are a lot of nerves and excitement, all at the same time.”
“I think that switching to an international trials system is a huge step forward in the way we select the Olympic Team. The regattas they are using
are two of the most important regattas this year so all the top sailors will be at the events and they will get to see who sails best against all the
top athletes in the World. I am 100% behind the new trials selection procedure.”
Railey placed fifth in today's race while Caleb Paine (USA) placed 24th and Luke Lawrence (USA) placed 29th. “It's a solid start to the regatta, but
it was a long day.”
Racing continues until Friday with the medal race for the top 10 on Saturday 11th June.
Results after day one:
1NZL 1 Dan SLATER1
2GBR 3 Ben AINSLIE2
3CRO 524 Ivan KLJAKOVIC GASPIC 3
4DEN 2 Jonas HØGH-CHRISTENSEN4
5USA 4 Zach RAILEY5
6GBR 41 Giles SCOTT 6
7GBR 88 Mark ANDREWS 7
8FRA 112 Jonathan LOBERT 8
9GBR 11 Ed WRIGHT9
10SLO 573 Vasilij ZBOGAR 10
Event website: www.skandiasailforgoldregatta.co.uk
Photos: OnEdition 2001
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