Close racing at Student Worlds on Wednesday
“In overall ranking the French are leading with 11 points, followed by the defenders [Solent} with 14 points. The Swiss complete the top three, with a tie that promises some tough competition with the other British team [Southampton], which is fourth! Tomorrow the start will be at 10.30 and the battles for the first place will be once more relentless. So, do not miss another exciting and full of passionate sailing day, at the 31st Student Yachting World Cup.”
Michalis Patenitotis of icarussailingmedia.com writes on Wednesday night from the Student Yachting World Cup at La Trinité-sur-Mer:
“SYWoC is catching up with 4 races today!
“Just like yesterday, today the schedule of SYWoC was full and demanding. Four windward – leeward races took place, with one of them extended in duration. As they have to every day, students – members of the crews of the 14 boats gathered early in the morning to make sure that all boats were ready and able to perform their best, and that no damages from last night’s race were untaken care of!
“The first start of the day was at 11:00. The British defenders of the Cup took an early lead with the French team behind and quite close. The two boats had a… respectful distance from the rest of the fleet, but the close battles of the one with the other slowed them down, giving the chance to team Swiss to take a lead at the downwind leg. But then the pressure took its tall on them! They got nervous and hustled to drop their spinnaker too soon. The other two teams took advantage of that mistake, placing their boats between the Swiss and the mark, thus demanding the right to pass and making the lead of Switzerland temporary. Things remained the same both at the next upwind and downwind legs. The defenders crossed first the finish line, the French were behind, and the second British crew cheered a precious third position, which they deserved after beating team Swiss.
“The second race started immediately after the first one. The wind had gotten strong enough to give the teams the opportunity to enjoy some exciting sailing. 20 knots of breeze and big choppy waves made the job of the skippers even more demanding. Team Ireland picked the left side of the course and rounded first the upwind mark, with the crew really enjoying the sailing conditions. The defenders where behind them and, what a big surprise, the Portuguese team was third, performing better and with a neater tactic then any other time! The Irish managed to further extend their lead, but their joy did not last long: They were disqualified from the race because of a false start. What a disappointment for them – and what good news for the British who took the first place, with the Portuguese second and the Swiss third.
“As soon as the last boat finished the race, the committee gave the signal for the third race of the day. Good teams learn from their mistakes, so the Irish this time were more determined and after a careful start, rounded first again, from the left side. The French team was right behind them and the defenders continued their good performance and were in the top 3 once more. However, just one but crucial mistake from the Irish was enough to give the French the lead! So they finished first, with the Irish second, disappointed once more, and the British third.
“The fourth race was an extended windward – leeward race, 6 miles long and with just one loop. The boats had to sail upwind for 3 nautical miles and then finish downwind at the start line. The French masterfully and with determination repeated their good performance in long distance races and finished first, in front of the Swiss team and the defenders that had a very good day and finished third, for the third time in the day’s four races!
“In overall ranking the French are leading with 11 points, followed by the defenders with 14 points. The Swiss complete the top three, with a tie that promises some tough competition with the other British team, which is fourth!
“Tomorrow the start will be at 10.30 and the battles for the first place will be once more relentless. So, do not miss another exciting and full of passionate sailing day, at the 31st Student Yachting World Cup.”