Hugh Sims Williams / RS:X Class.com

2007 ISAF SAILING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS RSX WORLDS
Races 8&9

By Hugh Sims Williams

Regatta leaders move out of reach, but the battle continues:

Racing started a 4pm today, with competitors returning to the beach as late
as 9pm. This long and hard day may have not finalised the results but will
certainly be instrumental in tomorrow’s medal race finale.

The women’s race course has proved to be the most consistent and today
profited from 18 knots of wind. Surprisingly this allowed Zofia GLEPACKA
(POL) to extend her lead over the fleet. Strong wind specialists Alessandra
SENSINI (ITA) and Barbara KENDALL (NZL) failed to maximise on this, perhaps
due to the rough water induced by wind against tide. This has allowed
European Champion, Marina ALABAU (ESP) to move into bronze medal position
ahead of Jessica CRISP (AUS) and SENSINI (ITA). GLEPACKA (POL) has finished
today with two 2nds, despite being OCS and rounding the ends in the first
race. Her lead is now substantial, and allows her to play a more
conservative approach to her medal race. Olha MASLIVETS (UKR) had an
excellent day moving her into 7th, while Faustine MERRET (FRA), current
Olympic champion was scored OCS in her second race of the regatta, ruining
her chances of a good position.

Delays in the men’s starting schedule meant the wind had eased by the first
warning signal. After planning off the line, then men spent the day putting
their daggerboards up and down. This favoured the Ricardo SANTOS, who
excelled at making these adjustments to increase his speed. Although there
were huge holes of wind on the course, SANTOS scored two bullets making him
almost unreachable in tomorrow’s medal race. However the drama is heating up
for silver and bronze positions. There are three strong contenders for the
two coveted positions. Przemyslaw MIARCZNSKI (POL), Nick DEMPSEY (GBR) and
Joao RODRIGUES (POR) have five points between them. The points in the medal
race count for double so expect some nail biting racing tomorrow, just off
the harbour entrance.