6:01 AM Tue 12 Jan 2010 GMT
Today is 'do or die' for several Contenders with aspirations of winning the 40th Contender World title which is on offer this afternoon.
Another sunny day as the fleet left the dock at the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron, with 12-13 knots blowing, and a little cloud to seaward. It's very humid, a perfect day for seam bowling.
The top Contenders handled their pre-race in very different ways. Christoph Homeier (GER551) appeared a little nervous, Jono Neate (AUS2323) was out early, while Andrea Bonezzi (ITA11) looked relaxed. As he wandered down the ramp, a frank assessment from the italian. Looking at the breeze he commented ruefully. 'if you want to put money on the 2010 World Championship put it on Jono Neate, these are his conditions not mine.'
At the start of Race 9 the fleet was held out on Waterloo Bay as a new course was set to 060. Excitement as a Windrush catamaran capsized just below the pin and the mast stuck firmly in the Waterloo mud. Two men and a dog named Mojo were rescued as the fleet focused for the start. The breeze was now 13 knots from the north east.
As he had done in four previous starts Jono Neate started on the pin, Matt Mulder (AUS2408) just up from him with Bonezzi and Homeier. Once more Neate's strategy worked well and he was the clear leader at the top mark ahead of Bonezzi, Mulder, Grant Robinson (AUS2136) and Homeier.
As they came in on the second reach it was Neate, Bonezzi, Mulder and Homeier at the bottom mark for the first time.
At the top mark for the second time, Neate came in from the left just one boat length ahead of Bonezzi and as they came round the mark they were nearly bow to stern.
Matt Mulder was next and then Robinson. Homeier was sixth and could now be out of contention for the title.
10kg lighter than his Italian rival Jono Neate held on for another lap for victory, Andrea Bonezzi second, Matt Mulder third, then Christoph Homeier fourth.
Its second drop time in the ten race World Championhip series, Neate now drops a seven and Bonezzi a five, so Jono Neate leads the Contender World Championships by three points going into the final race.
The Race Committee reset the line for the final race in the 40th Contender Worlds. Heading 055, distance 0.8 nm
Then a general recall, then a clear start.
The Championship leader Jono Neate was fourth up from the pin, with the twin Ronstan logos of 2009 World Champion Andrea Bonezzi next and young Christoph Homeier, now third in the 2010 race one above them.
At the wing mark, Mussell was leading, local Phil Evans second, Bonezzi 30 seconds back, with Neate now seventh. Down at bottom mark, Neate had made up a placing on Bonezzi, the duo were equal, with a lap and a half to go.
However Neate has four wins to Bonezzi's one so if it gets to a countback at the 10th finish line, then Neate will win.
Up the work however Neate in a softening breeze, outsailed the elder statesman, Neate was sixth while Bonezzi was seventh. Homeier is back in mid-fleet, looks like he's sailing his drop.
At second bottom mark, Mussell has broken well clear, the Britisher has left his challenge a little later. he is well clear of Evan and the big mover is Neate now third. Bonezzi is back in sixth.
If Neate can keep his mast in the boat for another 0.8 nautical mile work he will become the 40th Contender World Champion.
by Rob Kothe
Click on thumbnails to enlarge and find more photos:
 leads the fleet away at the start of Race 6 on Day 3 of the Contender Worlds 2010.jpg)
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Manly, QLD
