Yachting-Live

Little Wind, Little Changes

Racing in all classes didn’t bring much change to the results in the 39th Trofeo Princesa Sofia MAPFRE in Mallorca. The light conditions that have been prevailing since the start of the event were present again today. The strong breeze expected for tomorrow could finally see some upsets in the rankings and some different faces moving into the top ten and a last chance to qualify for the medal race.

Team Skandia GBR sailors, Ben Ainslie and Paul Goodison are increasing their lead in the Finn and Laser classes. They both have a proven record in Palma.

Both sailors have excelled in the last two Olympic test events in Qingdao and their current results in the bay of Palma is an extra proof that they have already mastered these tricky conditions. Ainslie is increasing his lead to 28 points from second placed Ivan Kljakovic Gaspic (CRO).

The top 4 places are unchanged in the Laser, 49er and 470 Men. Gabrio Zandona and Andrea Trani (ITA) have dominated the fleet with a third in the first race today and a third victory in the second.

Surely not a day to remember for Sydney Bronze medallists, Javier Conte and Juan de la Fuente (ARG) who lose 2 places after collecting 49 points over 2 races.

The top 3 keep their standing in the Laser Radial. Petra Niemann concedes a victory to Ascension Togores (ESP) who climbs to 4th overall.

In the RS:X men division, Nick Dempsey who has scored higher places today is being threatened by Italian Fabian Heidegger now on equal point with the World #3. Shahar Zubari (ISR) is only 1 point behind in 3rd position.

In the Tornado class, the tight is continuing between Xavier Revil/Christophe Espagnon (FRA) and Polgar/Spalteholz (GER).

The rankings in the RS:X and 470 Women, and Yngling have been claimed back by early leaders. Alessandra Sensini (ITA) enjoys a 7 points lead over Marina Alabau (ESP). Athens Gold medallist Faustine Merret (FRA) is progressing to 3rd position after a 4th place and her first victory in the event. She is on equal points with the Spanish.

The Russian teams have once again swapped their place in the overall ranking in the Yngling regatta. Disqualifications at the start have upset the classification. American boat helmed by Sally Barkow is dropping from 3rd to 5th overall. The second race of the day has been cancelled by lack of wind and three races will be programmed for the last day of the finals.

Giulia Conti and Giovanni Micol (ITA) have recovered from an average day on Tuesday (broken tiller before the start) to claim back the top of the rankings. The World#1 are just one point from Natalia Via Dufresne and Laia Tutzo in second place. Today’s best improvers are the British Christina Bassadone and Saskia Clark who gain 5 places to 5th overall and Camille Lecointre and Gwendolyn Lemaitre from France who reached the 9th position after brilliantly winning both races. A second disqualification sent the German team of Stefanie Rothweiler and Vivien Kussatz from 2nd to 11th. While the Germans are only a point away from the Medal Race top 10 target, their chance for a podium is jeopardised.

Thursday’s final races will decide on the Medal Race contenders. — Corinne McKenzie

www.trofeoprincesasofia.org

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This entry was posted on Thursday, March 20th, 2008 at 8:05 am and is filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.