Pic: Hugh Sims Williams / rsxclass.com
RS:X WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS, CASCAIS – RACES 6-7
Races 6&7
By Hugh Sims Williams
Big changes to medal contenders in both men’s and women’s fleets
Today proved to be a very important day, with some major changes to the top three. Ricardo SANTOS (BRA) has had his best day so far, taking 1st and 2nd in the gold fleet. Another sailor who has been smiling a lot today is Nick DEMPSEY (GBR), who scored a 3rd and 5th and has now moved into the bronze medal position. Current European Champion Pzemyslaw MIARCZYNSKI (POL) was unable to keep up his string of bullets and is now counting an 11th and a 4th ; he has moved into silver medal position. His team mate, and yesterday’s regatta leader, Piotr MYSZKA (POL) has gained more points today than in the past 3 days put together, explaining his fall to 5th. Nick DEMPSEY (GBR) and Joao RODRIGUES (POR) have managed to perform consistently in the top 5 in all of their races this week, putting them back into medal contention. RODRIGUES mentioned that his daggerboard had snapped when he was ten metres from the windward mark, he managed to make the final distance and then sailed downwind to finish in second. He has a replacement for tomorrow.
The women’s racing has seen two of the more experienced racers, Barbara KENDALL (NZL) and Jessica CRISP (AUS) rise from 6th and 7th to silver and bronze positions respectively. This has been helped by two OCS’s from Alessandra SENSINI (ITA) and Faustine MERRET(FRA). The lighter winds allowed Jian YIN (CHN) to show her ability in the lighter conditions with a two wins this week in the only two light wind races to have taken place. She will be a force to be reckoned with in Beijing next month for the Pre Olympics.
Zofia KLEPACKA (POL) is comfortably leading by 4 points; her worst race in this regatta being an 8th today. Race 7, the wind increased to 8-12 knots and KENDALL was the first to get her board on to the plane. This allowed KENDALL to gain a leg’s lead over her closest rival. KENDALL enjoys these conditions and has certainly shown a true feel for the equipment.
The windsurfers excelling here are those that cope best with the winds sporadic blessings. This regatta seems to be more about who can do the best on their worst day than sheer speed or flare. However the winner of this championship’s may well have to possess both skills.
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