Omega Auckland Match Racing Regatta, Ainslie è ancora il leader
Match RaceVela 4 Marzo 2010 Zerogradinord 0
[singlepic id=5225 w=300 h=204 float=left]Omega Auckland Match Racing Regatta – Auckland – Raffiche di vento sino a 25 nodi hanno impedito il regolare svolgimento della seconda giornata di regate valide per l’Omega Auckland Match Racing Regatta, evento di match race che agli antipodi sta impegnando alcuni tra i migliori timonieri del mondo in una serrata serie di un contro uno: “Il vento era troppo forte per gli MRX impegnati tra le boe – ha spiegato il Principal Race Officer, John Rountree – Non era più un match race equilibrato”.
Dopo la produttiva giornata di apertura, il Comitato Organizzatore si è dovuto accontentare della disputa di due soli voli, voli che hanno visto il britannico Bean Ainslie rinforzare la propria leadership. Lo skipper di Team Origin ha infatti vinto entrambi i match, il primo contro Sebastien Col, il secondo contro Chris Dickson.
La classifica non è cambiata più di tanto. Dietro ad Ainslie resistono in tre, tutti i pari punti: Dean Barker, Adam Minoprio e Kaol Jablonski, subentrato a Bertrand Pacé. Anche Francesco Bruni, incassando una vittoria e una sconfitta, ha mosso di poco la propria posizione.
Classifica dopo 10 voli
Ben Ainslie, 8-2
Dean Barker, 6-4
Adam Minoprio, 6-4
Karol Jablonski, 6-4
Bertrand Pace, 5-5
Torvar Mirsky, 5-5
Francesco Bruni, 4-6
Sebastien Col, 4-6
Chris Dickson, 3-7
Magnus Holmberg, 3-7
OMEGA AUCKLAND MATCH RACING REGATTA, BEN AINSLIE IS STILL THE LEADER
[Omega Auckland Match Race Regatta Press Release] Winds gusting over 25 knots and big windshifts forced an early end to the second day of racing in the Omega Auckland Match Racing Regatta today – after some spectacular early action saw the teams at the edge of control.
Two flights were completed before race officials sent the yachts off the race track, with Britain’s Ben Ainslie strengthening his hold on the leaderboard. The triple Olympic gold medallist and his Team Origin crew won both their matches, the first over Sebastien Col and the second over New Zealand America’s Cup veteran Chris Dickson.
Ainslie is alone at the top of the leaderboard on 8-2, with three teams, Dean Barker of Emirates Team New Zealand, world match race champion Adam Minoprio and Polish ace Karol Jablonski on 6-4.
Regatta co-ordinator John Rountree of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron said racing was abandoned for the day because the wind was reaching the upper limits for the fleet of identical Farr MRX match racers. “We have passed the stage of fair match racing,” said Rountree.
The racing that was accomplished today, saw some tight matches as the crews battled on the edge of control. One of the closest contests of the day involved an enthralling match between Minoprio and former world match racing champion Magnus Holmberg of Sweden.
There were two lead changes and a wild charge for the finish line under spinnaker as Minoprio came from behind to take victory gun by 4 seconds. “We were reaching under spinnaker and went to luff Adam and his crew,” said Holmberg. “However, they just managed to edge ahead at the finish line and that was it. It was a good race.”
“The big problem was the gusts and the windshifts,” said Minoprio. “We were getting 30-40 degree windshifts with big gusts. In these boats, you have to react very quickly in those conditions to keep control. We were a bit lucky. It was definitely on the edge.”
Racing is scheduled to resume on the Waitemata Harbour tomorrow.
Spectators and fans are able to follow the action live on a dedicated radio station on 103fm organized through RadioLive. International yachtsman and commentator Peter Lester provides expert analysis and blow by blow accounts of the racing.
The Omega Auckland Match Racing Regatta is the opening event of the Auckland Festival of Sailing, which comprises a series of on and off the water events. The Omega Auckland Match Racing Regatta is followed by the Louis Vuitton Trophy Auckland (where five of the skippers from the Omega regatta will also compete) and by the BMW Sailing World Cup Final. Also part of the festival is the Auckland International Boat Show.
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