Day 4 of the World University Match Racing Championships and local team Italy 1 have caused an upset by defeating Great Britain in the semi-finals.
In the best of three series Ali Hall (GBR) laid the smack down in the pre-start of the first race in a light breeze, leaving Marco Savelli (ITA) with a penalty and stalled on the start line and extending to an unassailable lead. In the second, the British won the favoured port end of the line but were controversially awarded a penalty on the first cross. By the third race the breeze was up to a force 5. Again Hall led off the start line but by the leeward mark, Savelli had closed the gap and overtook as both teams headed out to the starboard layline. Rounding the final windward mark a wave behind, GBR were unfortunately unable to overtake on the final run…
In the other semi-final match Maxim Fages (FRA) took the first race but Gold League winners Sweden cruised to victory in the next two and are now almost certain favourites to take the title.
Gold League Results
Sweden – 4 Wins
GBR – 4 Wins
Italy – 3 Wins
France – 2 Wins
USA – 1 Win
Croatia – 1 Win
Ali Hall