5:11 AM Fri 8 Jan 2010 GMT
For Race 1 of the 40th Contender World Championships, the Race Committee set an Olympic Triangle course, which was an easterly course on Waterloo Bay heading out towards the gap between King and Pine Islands.
Race 1 began in sunny conditions with 13 knots of breeze.
Current Australian Champion Matt Mulder (AUS2408) was over the start line early.
At the top mark for the first time, reigning World Champion Andrea Bonezzi (ITA 11) approached the mark from starboard and rounded six boat lengths ahead of British sailor Simon Mussell (GBR 2420). Geoff Fisher (AUS 2468) was third.
At the wing mark Mussell had closed up to within a boat length of Bonezzi.
At the bottom mark Mussell rounded ahead on Bonezzi, with Jono Neate (AUS 2323) up into third. Just five boats lengths separated the top four boats. Unfortunately for Neate shortly afterwards his trapeze line broke and he fell back through the fleet.
At the top mark for the second time, Mussell was first to the layline. Bonezzi tacked inside of Mussell but was short of the line. While the two boats were sailing side by side, Bonezzi had to pinch and he fell in behind Mussell as they rounded. Geoff Fisher was third.
Mussell and Bonezzi came in from the left on the beat up to the finish line. Mussell tacked a fraction early and under laid the finishing pin, but it mattered little as Bonezzi had better speed and with slightly cracked sheets was faster to the finish.
After the race Bonezzi, who has a brand new set of racing sails for this championship, said 'I got a good start and I had good speed. Simon gave me a good fight. It's a beautiful day.'
Matt Mulder said 'I was over at the start and went back, but clawed my way back into the fleet.'
Chris Sutherland (AUS 2443) and Brett Holly (AUS 2375) were OCS. Stephen Toms (AUS) 2169 retired from the race with broken gear.
Race 2 is is scheduled to start soon and the fleet is currently running back down to the start line.
More to follow.
Provisional Results for Race 1 - Top Five:
1. Andrea Bonezzi (ITA 11)
2. Simon Mussell (GBR2420)
3. Geoff Fisher (AUS 2468)
4. Steven Grimes (AUS2179)
5. Christoph Homeier (GER551)
by Al Constable/Rob Kothe
|
Manly, QLD
