Cadet Worlds at Buenos Aires, Argentina - Day 5
by Andy Shorrock 4 Jan 2010 10:05 GMT
26 December 2009 - 4 January 2010
9 hours on the water
On day 5 of the Cadet World Championships in Buenos Aires the fleet launched into hot sunshine and an 8 knot breeze.
The breeze did not last however and race 9 was abandoned before the first windward leg was completed with the fleet becalmed. There followed a 2 hour wait for more wind to arrive as the fleet tried to hide from the strong sun.
When the wind did arrive, race 9 was held in a steady 8 to 10 knots of wind. The Australian boats continued their fine form with AUS 4109 (Ian Lee & Alex Brzoska) managing to cross the fleet from the port end of the start and lead all the way to the finish. Overnight leaders AUS 4887 (Alec & Samantha Bailey) also rounded clear in 2nd place and were never caught. Behind this pair, the racing in the fleet was extremely close with much place changing and everything to be made (or lost) at mark roundings. At the finish, Cara Swan & Caitlan Moody (AUS 9526) held 3rd place to complete a 1, 2, 3 for Australia. Of the GBR challengers, Chris Brewer & Ole Alcock were 6th, Will Kennedy & Rhos Hawes 7th and Arthur Henderson & Matthew Currell 9th.
Race 10 was held straight away in a slightly stronger breeze, 11-13 knots. At the windward mark GBR 8561 (Arthur Henderson & Matthew Currell) led from GBR 5000 (Sophie Dingwall & Chris Sycamore) and ARG 8023 (Clara Cosentino & Cristobal Billoch). Sophie and Chris had found their form to overhaul Arthur on the first reach and establish a lead that they could hold to the finish. All was not plain sailing behind them in a very tight race. ARG 8023 eventually emerged to finish 2nd ahead of GBR 8997 (Chris Brewer & Ole Alcock) and CZE 9469 in 4th. Arthur & Matt incurred a windward mark penalty and slipped to finish 11th whilst Will Kennedy & Rhos Hawes finished a consistent day with another 7th.
Overall, ARG 8023 have been remarkably consistent and now lead the Championship on 30 points ahead of AUS 4887 on 37 points and GBR 8997 on 40 points.
In the promotional fleet, Mary Henderson and Ben Shorrock posted a hard fought 3rd and 4th today to remain in 4th place overall.
The final 2 races are scheduled for Monday 4th January.
Full results can be found here and more photographs can be found here.