Narrow loss for GBR Challenge against Prada
by GBR Challenge 31 Oct 2002 07:43 GMT
In the second race of the day, GBR Challenge lost a close tussle with Prada by 16 seconds. After GBR Challenge led off the start line, Prada took the lead up but the British team recovered by the top mark to lead into the first downwind leg. Prada then overtook on the run
by sailing GBR Challenge out to the limit of the layline, and held their
narrow lead to the finish.
In 17 knots of breeze from 225 degrees, the boats entered the start box
and immediately went into a dialup. GBR Challenge broke away to the
right, followed by Rod Davis on the helm of ITA 74. Andy Beadsworth on
the helm of Wight Lightning, threw a dummy tack before gybing back to the
line, with Prada gybing inside to lead back to the line. Harrison's men
initially bore away before heading up and tacking to take the right hand
side of the line as the gun went. Prada started at the pin end two
seconds later.
On the first beat, the left hand side appeared to be favoured as Prada
gained the lead and as the boats came together the Italian team tacked on
top of the British team four times. However, as the teams neared the
mark, the British gained and as the boats came together GBR Challenge had
starboard advantage. Prada were unable to cross and Ian Walker's crew
gained the initiative to take a four second lead around the first mark.
As the boats rounded, Prada came from slightly wider into the mark and
sneaked inside Wight Lightning as the boats simultaneously hoisted their
spinnakers. Although the British crew were able to set their sail
earlier, ITA 74 held a slight overlap and GBR Challenge were unable to
gybe. On long starboard gybe, red flags were constantly raised, with the
Jury replying with green flags. As the boats reached the layline,
tactician Ado Stead continually claimed that the Italian team were sailing
Wight Lightning beyond the proper course layline. The umpires declined
his claims.
When Prada gybed, their inside position gave the Italian team the lead.
Although Harrison's men headed up to try to gain an overlap, Prada led by
nine seconds at the leeward mark.
The Italian team defended the right and their lead up the windward leg to
take a14 second lead into the run. GBR Challenge threatened the lead, but
Prada continually covered to earn their sixth consecutive victory.
Wight Lightning (GBR-70)
- Bow Matt Cornwell
- Mid Bow Mark Sheffield
- Mast George Skuodas
- Pit James Stagg
- Pit Runner Jonathan Taylor
- Trim upwind Ian Budgen
- Trim downwind Simon Fry
- Grinder Starboard Guy Reid
- Grinder Port Greg Searle
- Mid Grinder Jim Turner
- Main Trimmer Chris Mason
- Navigator Jules Salter
- Aft Grinder Chris Main
- Strategist Andy Beadsworth
- Skipper Ian Walker
- Tactician Adrian Stead
- 17th Man Peter Harrison