Adecco Maxi OD - Round Up after Event 3

INCREDIBLE INGVALL

STOCKHOLM—The entire fleet of Maxi One Designs competing in the Adecco World Championship has a single question on its lips – ‘How do we beat Ludde Ingvall’s Skandia?’ Following his victory in the 386 mile Kiel-Stockholm Race, his third successive event victory, it is hardly surprising that the rest are asking this question.

Ingvall is slightly bemused by this situation, but says that it is due to his greater experience with these 80 footers. ‘I have been sailing them for almost three years,’ he said, ‘and I hope I have found out a great deal about them in this time.’ He admits that there is something different in the way that he has set up his rig, and that it is due to previous experimentation.

‘We think we know how to squeeze an extra ounce of speed from the boat, and we are sure that it won’t be long before the others catch on to what we are doing,’ he said with a grin. ‘It shouldn’t take them long, but by then we hope to be a further step ahead.’ Obviously, Ingvall is not going to hand over his advantage easily.

Ross Field and his crew in RF Yachting have made the most forward steps in an effort to match Skandia. Their performance in all three events thus far; the North Sea Regatta at Scheveningen, Kieler Woche, and the Kiel-Stockholm Race; has shown progressive improvement and Field, who won the 1993/4 Whitbread race, is such a seasoned and dedicated campaigner that he will only be satisfied when he has won the championship.

Almost on a par with Field is the performance of Le Defi Bouygues Telecom – Transiciel, the team from the French America’s Cup. They regularly place at or near the front of the fleet and with a second and two thirds are only 1.5 points behind RF Yachting. For the next event, the 335 mile Round Gotland Race, it is highly likely that the talent of the most famous woman ocean racer, Isabelle Autissier, will be aiding the French effort.

Ernest Bertarelli and his Swiss crew on Alinghimax are on a constant improvement curve, gaining one place in each of the races. Bertarelli won the class championship in the Mediterranean last year and is the only amateur skipper in a world of professionals. It is a situation which he relishes and counts each ‘scalp’ he takes with satisfaction.

Geoff Meek has a long haul from Cape Town for each of these regattas, but this makes the South African skipper all the more determined. His track record of past achievements is better than his results have so far shown, but he shares fifth place with Bertarelli and believes that the Round Gotland Race should suit his crew. ‘There will be many sail changes in this race,’ he said, ‘and we can handle those.’

Both Hans Bouscholte (BEL) of Synphony and Guido Maisto (ITA) of Seac Banche realise they must improve, and are taking the necessary steps. Their learning curve is somewhat steeper than the others, but both have considerable offshore experience and hope that the next race, which starts on Sunday July 4th, will provide them with the necessary vehicle for a breakthrough.

Gunnar Krantz will be back in action for the Round Gotland Race. He returned the damaged boat and mast here for repair and is expected to be able to go for a trial sail on Friday. Currently, his Team Henri-Lloyd has been awarded two fourth places provisionally as a means of assessing redress for the dismasting which occurred in the 222 mile offshore race at the beginning of Kieler Woche.

Overall points after three events:

1. Skandia          (EUR) Ludde Ingvall      30 points
2. RF Yachting      (NZL) Ross Field         22.5
3. Le Defi Telecom  (FRA)                    21
4. Team Henri-Lloyd (SWE) Gunnar Krantz      15*
5. Alinghimax       (SUI) Ernesto Bertarelli 12
6. Rainbow Magic    (RSA) Geoff Meek         12
7. Synphony         (BEL) Hans Bouscholte     9
8. Seac Banche      (ITA) Guido Maisto        5

* Includes two fourth places provisionally granted for redress.