07.06.2011
Sail for Gold day two
Wins for Slater and Ainslie
http://www.finnclass.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=253:sail-for-gold-day-two-wins-for-slater-and-ainslie&catid=59:sailing-world-cup-2011&Itemid=34
Day two of Skandia Sail for Gold opened on a much more positive note than day one with winds up to 20 knots and two tough but thrilling races for the
Finn fleet. Dan Slater (NZL) won the opening race before Ben Ainslie (GBR) struck back to win the second and take the overnight lead from Ivan
Kljakovic Gaspic (CRO) in second and Slater in third.
The weather had changed overnight bringing cloud, lots of breeze and a chilly start to the day with the sun trying to break through. The start was
delayed slightly as the wind shifted about a bit but race two finally got away at 11.30
Monday’s race winner Dan Slater (NZL) got off to a great start as the fleet spread out up the first beat. Slater led round the top mark from Jonas
Høgh Christensen (DEN) and Ivan Kljakovic Gaspic (CRO). And with the wind pushing 15 knots and Oscar flag flying the fleet enjoyed the free pumping
downwind legs. Kljakovic Gaspic moved up to second by the first leeward rounding, with Giles Scott (GBR) climbing up to third, andHøgh Christensen in
fourth. Following a poor start Ben Ainslie (GBR) was also moving through the fleet and finally ended up seventh.
After a series of wind shifts and general recalls, race three got underway at 14.20 in 14 to 17 knots and produced a new race leader. Pieter Jan
Postma (NED) lead from Gasper Vincec (SLO) and Ainslie. However it didn’t last long as Ainslie soon came past to lead to the finish, while Vincec
held on for third. World Champion Ed Wright (GBR) put a bad result in the morning behind him to finish fourth while regatta leader Slater crossed in
10th to lose the overall lead to Ainslie and Kljakovic Gaspic, both tied on 10 points.
The race committee was still hoping to catch up the one race lost on Monday, but after rumours that another race might be held, the fleet was sent in
for the day with winds gusting 25 knots.
Ainslie said, “The first race was a bit strange. On the first beat I thought the right side of the course had the best conditions but I didn’t
read it very well and ended up well behind the leaders. I started to catch up from there and finished strong to get seventh place. In the second race
the wind came up a bit more which made it difficult to read the best side of the course to take. Luckily I took the best side and at the first mark I
was third and I then I slowly pulled through to win the race.”
“Today was hard work physically. The winds were strong, the waves choppy and the races long. You’re out there for six hours and racing for three
so it’s all about saving yourself for the right moment and getting the crucial decisions right.”
“The GB sailors are all doing well with five of us currently in the top ten, Giles, Mark and Millsy are all sailing well and I’m sure Ed Wright is
going to start showing form this week as these are his sort of conditions. Overall I’m happy with my form so far but there’s always room for
improvement.”
Slater explained his day, “I had a great start and first beat in the first race and from then on it was a bit of a one way track which was dictated
by the current. The breeze built all day and we finished the day with 20 knots but it seemed to take for ever to get the races started and going which
is really due to the deep water and current which makes it hard to set a start line that is square.”
Kljakovic Gaspic said, “I am sailing well, having clear starts and keeping the sailing simple. My boat speed is good so I can keep with fast guys
and then it comes to some good tactics, which I keep doing well for now. Today, the starts were important and the right hand side was much better, so
keeping right was a good way to go. Also choosing the right moment for crossing was important as we had quite big pressure differences. It was pretty
close at the front but winning is still winning.”
The forecast for Wednesday is for much more wind. Assuming sailing is possible, is he looking forward to that? “Sure, I came here for training and I
want to do as much sailing as possible as I don't often have the chance to sail in such conditions.”
In what is undoubtedly the most competitive fleet so far this year, Ainslie takes a very small margin into day three. If the fleet gets to race in the
very strong winds forecast it could be make or break day. It's worth noting that of the current top ten, three have won world championships, three
have won European championships, and seven have won major events.
Three races are scheduled for Wednesday. Racing continues until Friday with the medal race for the top 10 on Saturday 11th June.
Results after three races:
1GBR 3Ben AINSLIE10
2CRO 524Ivan KLJAKOVIC GASPIC10
3NZL 1Dan SLATER12
4GBR 41Giles SCOTT18
5DEN 2Jonas HØGH-CHRISTENSEN20
6GBR 88Mark ANDREWS25
7GBR 85Andrew MILLS26
8SLO 573Vasilij ZBOGAR30
9GBR 11Ed WRIGHT31
10SLO 5Gasper VINCEC35
Event website: www.skandiasailforgoldregatta.co.uk ( http://www.skandiasailforgoldregatta.co.uk/ )
Full results: http://www.skandiasailforgoldregatta.co.uk/_1729/Results ( http://www.skandiasailforgoldregatta.co.uk/_1729/Results )
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