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9:18 PM Wed 22 Apr 2009 GMT
Another day of light and patchy conditions distributed high points to regatta favourites. While some classes see new leaders, high scores reduce the advantages gained and open the scores. The results are tighter and a second drop applied after nine races in all classes will reduce the gaps even more increasing the opportunities to make the Medal Race. Tomorrow's racing will provide many surprises.
With light and shifty northerly breeze coming in early afternoon, racing got underway behind schedule, a first attempt to race was quickly hampered by a big shift that cancelled racing for the Stars, 49ers and Lasers. The wind came back from the south west and allowed to complete two races in most classes and three for the 49ers and the Stars. Racing ended after 7pm.
The third day of racing in Hy?res sees new faces at the top of the rankings in four classes.
Peina Chen (CHN) takes the lead in the RS:X women division from Maayan Davidovich (ISR). Shahar Zubari (ISR) is back into the lead in the men's division after taking the bullets in both races.
Harada Ryunosuke and Yoshida Yogu (JAP) are in top place in the 470 Men class on equal points with Gabrio Zandona and Eduardo Mancinelli (ITA) who collected a 21st in the last race. New polish team of Patryk Piasecki and Marcin Mickiewicz improves from 9th to 6th overall.
They explain their day: 'It was a long and hard day for everybody; it is hard to stay concentrated in these conditions. We had a good start in the first race today and collected our fourth top 3 places. We hope we will race tomorrow to discard a second race, for us it means 30 points!'
A second and a first place bring Danish Henriette Koch and Lene Sommer back in the lead on the 470 women fleet: 'Of course are we happy to be back in the yellow jersey. But to be honest we are far happier to have found out what we did wrong yesterday, and then be able to correct it. It is that process that makes us happy. When that works, then the results will surely come.'
Veronika Fenclova (CZE) is conserving the lead in the Laser radial despite an average day. Olympic Champion Anna Tunicliffe from the US Sailing Team Alphagraphics, gets closer to the top of the ranking after racing regularly and collecting two 4th places. She explains:
'It was puffy and tricky. The pressure was up and down and you needed to be watching and see what was going on.' Number one on the Sailing World Cup standings, Tunicliffe comments: 'I think the SWC is great and got everyone racing again, especially during the post Olympic year. The concept is good to promote the sport and consistent sailing. You have to give it all!'
Three races sailed in the 49er Gold fleet gave two first places to the Alonso brothers who climbed one step into second overall, behind the Sibello's who keep the lead after mixed results. If the top two teams have secured a good margin over the rest of the fleets, the points are tights and the top 18 boats can pretend to get a place in the medal race.
All the top teams have collected high scores in the Laser Gold fleet. Despite a 31st scored in the first race, Paul Goodison (GBR) is increasing his lead. Maxim Semerkhanov (RUS) is in second overall on equal points with Tonci Stipanovic (CRO). The points are very close and the top 10 places remain open.
Ivan Kljakovic Gaspic is continuing to master the tricky conditions in Hy?res. He has added a 5th and a 2st to his series of top 5 places in the Finn class. 'I have add a good training and preparation in Hy?res before the event. I have a good boat feeling and handling in light wind. I am fast so I can sail simply and stay with the group.'
Xavier Rohart and Pierre-Alexis Ponsot won two races and placed second in the last to increase their lead in the small Star fleet. Damien Seguin is holding to first overall in the 2.4mR but Olympic Gold medallist Paul Tingley (CAN) is coming into second place with a first and a third.
Nine countries shares the top places at the end of the fourth day of racing in Hy?res.
Day four - 2009 French Olympic Sailing Week:
Laser (after 8 races)
1. Paul Goodison, GBR (25pts)
2. Maxim Semerkhano, RUS (46pts)
3. Tonci Stipanovic, CRO (46pts)
RS:X Men (after 7 races)
1. Shahar Zubari, ISR (11pts)
2. Julien Bontemps, FRA (99pts)
3. Nick Dempsey, GBR (24pts)
2.4mR (after 8 races)
1. Damien Seguin, FRA (17pts)
2. Paul Tingley, CAN (21pts)
3. Helena Lucas, GBR (22pts)
470 Men (after 8 races)
1. Harada Ryunosuke-Yoshido Yugo, JPN (36pts)
2. Gabrio Zandona-Edoardo Macinelli, ITA (36pts)
3. Matias Buhler-Felix Steiger, SUI (39pts)
Star (after 12 races)
1. Xavier Rohart-Pierre Alex Ponsot, FRA (23pts)
2. Aimilios Papathanasi-Apostolos Karnoutsos, GRE (31pts)
3. Andrew Macdonald-Brian Faith, USA (38pts)
470 Women (after 8 races)
1. Henriette Koch-Lene Sommer, DEN (28pts)
2. Margriet Fokkema-Marieke Jongens, NED (37pts)
3. Sylvia Vogl-Caroline Flatscher, AUT (43pts)
49er (after 12 races)
1. Pietro Sibello-Gianfranco Sibello, ITA (22pts)
2. Federico Alonso-Arturo Alonso (34pts)
3. Nico Delle Karth-Nikolaus Resch, AUT (47pts)
RS:X Women (after 7 races)
1. Chen Peina, CHN (25pts)
2. Maayan Davidovich, ISR (31pts)
3. Laura Linares, ITA (35pts)
Finn (after 8 races)
1. Ivan Kljakovic, CRO (17pts)
2. Gasper Vincec, SLO (29pts)
3. Marin Misura, CRO (41pts)
Laser Radial (after 7 races)
1. Veronika Fenclova, CZE (21pts)
2. Anna Tunnicliffe, USA (29pts)
3. Evi van Acker, ESP (29pts)
Results on sof.ffvoile.net
by Corinne McKenzie
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Sailing
