Day 5: The wind is up and the sailors are out

The good news is the wind is up and racing is on schedule to start at 1200. A good working breeze from the south is currently blowing up the Clyde and the 320 competitors are just about to launch.

The plan is to race the first two races of the finals today, and the remaining two tomorrow. Competitors have been re-grouped into Gold, Silver and Bronze fleets, which is worked out on the basis of their ranks in the qualifying series.

For some competitors this will be the first time they have raced together which means yet more new faces could emerge over the next two days. The weather is continuing to improve all the time and good winds are forecast which should make for a spectacular final.

British sailor Elliot Hanson, who’s had a good week so far, said today will be interesting. “I am feeling happy because I’m in a good position and I hope to have an overall top five result but it is going to be tough. The Gold fleet is a lot harder because there are some extremely good sailors out there. Plus I haven’t ever sailed against some of them because they’ve been in different flights. Today I’m aiming for two decent results which means good starts will be essential. Basicially, I’m going to carry on doing what I’ve done all week, and all should be fine.”

 

The Boys to keep an eye out for today other than Hanson, include Tadeusz Kubiak (POL) who’s currently leading the fleet on equal points with Giovanni Coccoluto (ITA) , Paul Leroy (FRA), Hermann Thomasgaard (NOR), and the American sailor Mitchell Kiss.

 

Over on the Girls’ course, Erika Reineke (USA), Manami Doi (JPN), and Tiril Bue (NOR) will undoubtedly be providing spectators with some spectacular racing, but with the likes of Patricia Coro Leveque (ESP), Michelle Broekhuizen (NED), Sandy Faurthoux (FRA), and the super fast Spanish sailor – Julia Vallo Arjonilla all aiming for gold, the waters of the Clyde will be bubbling.

 
More news from the racecourse later.

 

Current standings going into the first two races of the finals:

 
Girls Overall after Day 4 (7 races, 1 discard)
1 Erika Reineke (USA) 9pts

2 Manami Doi (JPN) 15pts

3 Tiril Bue (NOR) 21pts

4 Patricia Coro Leveque (ESP) 30pts

5 Michelle Broekhuizen (NED) 31pts

6 Sandy Fauthoux (FRA) 38pts

 
Boys Overall after Day 4 (6 races, 1 discard)
1 Tadeusz Kubiak (POL) 16pts

2 Giovanni Coccoluto (ITA) 17pts

3 Paul Leroy (FRA) 22pts

4 Hermann Tomasgaard (NOR) 22pts

5 Elliot Hanson (GBR) 23pts

6 Mitchell Kiss (USA) 28pts

 

24/7/2010 10:41