British Sailing Team at ISAF Sailing World Cup Mallorca - Day 3
by Lindsey Bell, RYA 2 Apr 2014 20:34 BST
31 March - 5 April 2014
Finn sailor Giles Scott and Olympic silver medallists Hannah Mills and Saskia Clark were unbeatable on the third day of ISAF World Cup racing in Palma on Wednesday (2 April), taking a clean sweep of race wins as the regatta reaches its halfway stage.
It was a tale of two halves across Palma Bay, with the more easterly courses near Arenal eventually seeing around 15-20 knots of wind and some lively racing, while the westerly courses struggled to get enough breeze in a stable enough direction.
Racing proved impossible in the Laser, Laser Radial and RS:X windsurfing events based in Can Pastilla, while Helena Lucas will have to wait another day to see if she can extend her race-winning streak as the 2.4mR Paralympic fleet was also abandoned for the day.
Mills and Clark, however, were relishing the conditions for 470 Women's racing on the Arenal side of the Bay, amassing two race wins – the second by a compelling two-minute margin – from their two races to see them elevated into the overall second place at the end of day three.
For the 2012 silver medal-winning duo, this Princess Sofia Trophy marks the start of their full-time assault towards Rio 2016, with the pair having enjoyed a break from the Olympic sailing circuit during 2013.
"It's wicked to be back," said Mills. "We obviously had a bit of time off after the Games but have had a reasonably full-on winter's training.
"This is our first big regatta so it's really nice to be back to see how everyone's getting on, and how we're getting on."
In spite of a low-key 2013 season, the competitive spirit is clearly still evident in the pair, although Mills is quick to temper expectations of a winning return.
"For us this is a process regatta – it's what everyone says, but it is our first regatta back and our goal is Santander [World Championships]," the 26-year Cardiff sailor explained.
"Obviously it's nice to win or get in the medals and we will be looking at that, but ultimately it's about seeing where we're at.
"We got two first places today which is in contrast to other days where we've been a bit up and down, so it was cool – good racing!"
Giles Scott has assumed the top spot in the Finn standings after two comfortable race wins today as the improved breeze increased the tempo on this first day of the finals series.
"Today was a turn for the better for me today, with two firsts. Clearly that's good for me, and quite needed as the Frenchman Thomas [Le Breton] has been sailing really well for the first couple of days and put a bit of a gap on the fleet so I think I've closed that right up today," explained Scott, the former Finn World and European Champion.
"It seems that Palma is the first event where the Finn fleet does turn up. We've got 100 boats here, or near enough and I think all the main players are racing so it's a good marker for the year.
"We had a long wait this morning, flapping around in no wind at all, and then suddenly a pressure line came through and very quickly it was up to around 15 knots. We got two really good races in – very quick and off the water quite quickly.
"I'm reasonably happy with where I am right now. I still think there's a reasonable amount to work on but I'm happy for now.
Ed Wright also appeared to enjoy the increase in wind strength, posting a fourth and a fifth to boost his overall position to fourth in the men's heavyweight fleet.
On the 49er course, Dave Evans and Ed Powys improved to second with three steady races in what Evans described as 'wild' conditions, while Dylan Fletcher and Alain Sign are in third in spite of a frustrating day which started with a race win and ended with a swim.
"The day started off really well – we came through to win the first race, were really confident and pretty pumped and excited with it all," Fletcher explained.
"In the next race we thought it was getting windy so we'd put the rig of different settings so were a bit slow but nursed it round, and in the last race we capsized at the first top mark, so it felt like a wasted opportunity because we've made such big gains in those conditions.
"We showed that in the first race, but it feels like it could've been a really good day and elevated us to the top of the leaderboard.
"But we've still got three days left. I think Al's gone to eat as many calories as he can and get fuelled up ready for the rest of the week!"
There was disappointment for fellow 49er sailors Stevie Morrison and Chris Grube, who had been racing well, but a back injury to Grube forced them to retire from racing today. The British Sailing Team's medical staff will assess tomorrow whether he can continue in the event.
The Nacra 17 fleet managed three races – an up and down day for the British crews sees them end the day with Lucy Macgregor-Andy Walsh in third overall, and Ben Saxton-Hannah Diamond fourth, while in the 49erFX class, Charlotte Dobson-Sophie Ainsworth had a steady day posting 6,9 to keep them in third overall.
In the 470 Men's event, Luke Patience and Elliot Willis are currently eighth overall, suffering a ripped spinnaker in one of their two races today.
Racing at the Princess Sofia Trophy continues on Thursday 2 April, with the final medal races scheduled for Saturday 5 April.
Follow all the British Sailing Team news, results and reaction from the event at britishsailingteam.com, on Twitter or via our Facebook page.
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