Barlo Plastics still leads IC45 series after day 2

by Sue Warden- Owen on 11 Mar 2001 Lighter conditions greeted the seven-strong IC 45 fleet on the second day of
the final regatta in the Clean Marine IC 45 Winter Series 2001, with 7 - 12
knots of breeze.

Adrian Stead and his talented crew aboard Barlo Plastics IC 45, had a great
start to the first race (race 5 of the regatta) and an impressive run on the
first beat saw them lead the fleet until the last beat when Faster K-Yote II
came from behind to overtake Barlo Plastics coming into the finish. The
Swedish yacht SEB took third place in today's opening race.

The start of Race 2 saw many of the fleet caught out by a left-hand wind
shift however Barlo Plastics secured the best start, only to be themselves
caught out when the wind shifted back and they found themselves on the wrong
side of the beat. This resulted in Barlo Plastics' worst result of the
Series, finishing in 6th, whilst the Swedish team aboard SEB took first
place, ahead of Faster K-Yote II and Babbalaas in third.

An aggressive start to Race 3 saw Barlo Plastics, Faster K-Yote II and
Babbalaas all forced out and stuck to windward of the starboard Committee
Boat. Having gybed around, Barlo Plastics then sailed an excellent first
beat and recovered well to take second at the windward mark. Coming into
the leeward gate, Barlo Plastics then overtook Bounder to clinch a
comfortable lead which was maintained to the finish, ahead of 2nd place
Bounder and SEB in third.

A start line incident on the fourth and final race of the day, involving SEB
and Barlo Plastics, resulted in the Swedish team having to do a penalty turn
for failing to keep clear of their close rival Barlo Plastics, the leeward
yacht. Faster K-Yote II got to the right-hand side to pick up a good shift
to lead the fleet, and with a great first beat by Barlo Plastics, the big
boat selected for the Barlo Plastics British Admiral's Cup Team, they went
on to hold 2nd place, ahead of SEB who once again took third.

Commenting on today's racing skipper Stead said, 'We've made a couple of
improvements to the rig today and are very happy with our new spinnaker as
we seem to have lost any vulnerability downwind. Our upwind speed is good
and we're sailing well together as a team. It should be a great final day
tomorrow, and the only problem, with the conditions being so light, is
whether or not we'll have any breeze to race.'

Barlo Plastics are in 1st place overall after today's 4 races and racing
culminates tomorrow, Sunday 11th March 2001.