ACI Cup / World Match Racing Championships - Day Five
by Edo Pezzi 29 May 2000 10:06 BST
Calm, hot weather continued to bring problems to the organizers and competitors during the sixth day of the ACI Cup of Croatia Split 2000 - ISAF World Match Race Championship. The skippers were unified in saying that the today's day was the most difficult and exhausting one for everyone offshore.
The crews sailed out from the marina at 9.30 a.m. hoping to sail as many matches as possible. They managed to sail only 4 races before they returned to their berths. A very light landward wind allowed them to try their luck again at 1.50 p.m. There were 14 matches before the competition was paused. More waiting for the wind followed, before everyone returned to the marina.
There was a lot of excitement in the race between the Australian Peter Gilmour and the home skipper Tomislav Basic. Gilmour made a mistake in the pre-start because he did not see the Race Committee boat behind his genoa. To avoid collision, Gilmour almost had to stop. Meanwhile, Basic had a great start and took off. However, Gilmour's crew managed to stay close enough to Basic and when Basic tacked off, Gilmour seized the opportunity took the lead and won the race.
For tomorrow, the Race Committee decided to continue remaining matches, 28, from the second Round Robin Serie. Therefore, the crews will set sails at 9 a.m. Although there are only two days left before the end of the championship, it might be possible to complete the program.
Skipper Nat Matches Won Lost
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Dean Barker NZL 18 13 5
Peter Gilmour AUS 17 12 5
Sten Mohr DEN 18 11½ 6
Bertrand Pace FRA 17 11 6
Magnus Holmberg SWE 17 8 9
Loc Pillot FRA 17 8 9
Framcois Brenac FRA 17 7½ 9
Tomislav Basic CRO 18 7 11
Andy Green GBR 17 7 10
Jesper Radich DEN 17 6½ 10
Jes Gram-Hansen DEN 17 6 11
Jesper Bank DEN 18 5 13
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More Information: Championship Website