Cadet Worlds at Buenos Aires, Argentina - Day 2

by Andy Shorrock 31 Dec 2009 06:49 GMT 26 December 2009 - 4 January 2010

The World and Promotional fleets launched in brilliant sunshine and an offshore breeze. However, out on the race course the wind and sea conditions were highly variable as races 3, 4 and 5 were completed during the day. Race 5 also saw the first discard kick in.

Winds ranged from 6 to 20 knots which, when coupled with the strong current, kicked up a significant chop. The wind shifts were large but also evident were downdrafts of wind off the city that caused a number of capsizes in the high quality fleet. Building a consistent series in the conditions is proving to be extremely challenging.

Arthur Henderson & Matthew Currell (GBR 8561) had an outstanding day posting podium finishes of 1,3,2 to lead the World Championship fleet overnight. First day leaders Chris Brewer & Ole Alcock (GBR 8997) had a more challenging day and posted 14,12,6 to be 3rd overall. Will Kennedy & Rhos Hawes (GBR 8539) are also posting a good series finishing 4,19,15 today. The last result proved to be a good comeback following a first windward mark capsize when placed for a top 6 rounding. They are now placed 4th in the standings.

As expected, the Argentine Cadet fleet are strong performers on their home waters and ARG 8023 (Clara Cosentino & Cristobal Billoch) finished 3,5,4 today forming an extremely consistent set of results so far and lie 2nd. ARG 9476, (Gonzalo Nandin & Julian Rodriguez Viegas) obviously found the conditions to their liking, winning races 4 and 5 to lie 6th overall.

The racing is extremely close with any mistake being severely punished and difficult to recover from. All GBR boats have shown their capabilities to post top 10 places. Abigail Croft & Matthew Shorrock currently lie 19th overall, Jess Quinlan & Alex Warrington are 21st and Max & Francesca Ingall, 28th. Sophie Dingwall & Chris Sycamore did not have their best day due to equipment failure. They lie 27th overall.

In the Promotional regatta, Mary Henderson & Ben Shorrock enjoyed the challenging conditions to score 2,3,2 and moved up to 3rd place overall in that fleet.

Only one race is scheduled for Thursday before getting ashore early to prepare for the New Years Eve party.

Full results can be found here and more photographs can be found here.