Indigo ISAF World Team Racing Championship Day 1

TOUGH OPENING DAY SEES USA TOP THE LEADER BOARD OF INDIGO ISAF WORLD TEAM RACING CHAMPIONSHIP

After a gruelling first day of the Indigo ISAF World Team Racing Championship on Dun Laoghaire Harbour (Dublin, Ireland), a handful of teams are quickly rising to the top of the 13 nation line-up. A 153 race round-robin series is expected to conclude by tomorrow (Thursday) lunchtime and after nine hours of sailing last night, 69 races had been sailed.

Both United States teams are showing impressive form with Josh Adams USA1 scoring a neat eight straight wins to top the leader board. The second American team is also strong as is Britain's first team: both have only dropped a single race each. Similarly, the New Zealand squad had a convincing opening day, especially given their relative inexperience.

Kiwi Team Manager Jim Murdoch remained tight-lipped about his squads opening day performance but Adams of USA1 clearly regards the squad as a threat: "The Kiwis are young but fast and very sharp," he said last night. While sailing their second worlds, Murdoch's team have practised in New Zealand but only set foot in Firefly dinghies ten days ago at West Kirby for a practise series.

Meanwhile Australia's second team, an unknown quantity entering the series have outshone their more experienced first team, veterans of the inaugural world championships in 1995. The Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron side only dropped two out of eight races yesterday compared to Australia 1's three victories in eight races.

On the home front, Ireland's first team had a good opening day winning five of their seven races. Their two losses were to USA 1 and GBR 1 and are also certain to face a tough battle from both these countries second teams. Ireland's second squad led by Jamie Boag representing Ballyholme Sailing Club fared less well, losing seven out of nine races yesterday.

Currently, the round robin should mean the elimination of the weakest teams at the event and lead into a tighter field by Friday when the quarter-finals are due to start. For the spectators in Dun Laoghaire, the format and venue has been widely acclaimed without a major hitch so far. Racing started two hours earlier than planned yesterday, hinting at a possible weather change in the offing.

However, along with expert commentary from veteran American Team racer Ken Legler the team racing has brought a new dimension to sailing in Ireland thanks to its spectator friendly appeal. Thankfully, the easterly winds have brought the courses close to Dun Laoghaire's East Pier which is a natural grandstand for sailors and passers-by alike and Legler's commentary provides the key to viewing.

ROUND ROBIN SERIES - STANDINGS AFTER DAY ONE

TEAM  SAILED WON POINTS
USA1    8     8    58
GBR2    7     4    57
FRA     8     4    87
AUS1    8     3    72
ESP     8     1   106
RSA1   10     4   116
IRL2    9     2   108
CZE     8     2    75
CAN     8     6    71
USA2    8     7    62
GBR1    6     5    31
SUI     8     0   129
NZL     7     6    60
NED     7     3    71
IRL1    7     5    64
SRI     8     0   112
RSA2    5     1    60
AUS2    8     6    78

Event Website: www.rsgyc.ie/teamracing