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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
Star Sailors League Photo
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Nassau, Bahamas - The second day of the Qualification Rounds for the SSL Finals proved to be an intricate game of chess for the star studded cast from nine different nations, boasting nine Olympic Medallists and even more world champions.
The penultimate day of the Qualification Rounds, once again featured
three different winners including two bullets from VIP entries. The
racing was incredibly close with the entire fleet compressed at
virtually every mark rounding
Rohart & Ponsot (FRA) started the day as leaders of the regatta and retained their lead. Negri & Lambertenghi (ITA) retained 2nd overall. Kusznierewicz & Zycki (POL) moved up to 3rd overall after another consistent day. Pepper & Prada (NZL-BRA) dropped to 4th but are still the top VIP entry. VIPs, Schümann & Borkowski (GER) had a stellar day, scoring 5-6-1, to lift the German team up to 5th. Bernaz & Rambeau (FRA) and Szabo & Natucci (USA-ITA) finished the day 6th and 7th
respectively, 20 points clear of the drop zone. Three teams of SSL VIPs
got in the groove today, lifting them into the top ten: Cayard & Sharp (USA) and Stipanovic & Canali (CRO-ITA) and Williams & Mitchell (GBR).
Polgar & Koy (GER) finished the day in the “ejector seat” 11th place, the last qualifying spot for the final day
on Saturday. Gaspic & Sitic (CRO) started the day with a win and by the close of play are 12th, hoping to climb the leaderboard
tomorrow.
There was drama right from the start, PrincipalRace Officer Sharon
Bourkeraised the I-flag after a General Recall for Race 5 and in the
restart, Rohart & Ponsot believing they were over returned to
re-start the race. However the X-Flag remained aloft, indicating that
other teams had infringed. At the first top mark, Diaz & Baltins (USA) and Kontides & Strube (CYP-USA) were disqualified.Gaspic & Sitic (CRO) went on to win Race 5. Rohart & Ponsot (FRA) came back to win Race 6 and Schümann & Borkowski (GER), delivered a master class to win Race 7.
QUOTES:
SERGIO LAMBERTENGHI (ITA) - "We are not 100% sure that we will make the cut, but we have very good chances. Then
on Saturday
everything starts from zero and each race can be the last one.
TheQuarter Final will be tough with 10teams, and from there I think it
will be easier until, hopefully, the final.”
IVAN GASPIC (CRO) - “In Croatia we say ‘if you see a bird flying it doesn’t mean it’s spring
outside’. Today was a bit better, but I still need to gain some feeling
with the boat in light wind and waves, but it’s ok I am looking forward
to
tomorrow,
we are in a not bad position and hopefully the conditions will help us.
We have nothing to loose and for sure we are going to race
tomorrow at full steam!”
JORGE ZARIF (BRA) - “Today we had a problem before Race 1and we had to put down the sail
and when we hoisted back up I moved the rudder to go in the right
direction and we broke the tiller in the middle:it was a bad start. We
had an okayracearound the 10th position but the third race was as bad
as all of the races this week.. I am happy anyways to be here, Nassau is
beautiful and I am competing with amazing people, I am just frustrated
with the results..”
Racing in the Qualification Rounds will conclude
tomorrow with a good chance of two races deciding the 11 finalists. Rohart & Ponsot (FRA) cannot be eliminated but the lure of a bye for the Quarter Finals is a worthy prize. Last year 71 points was enough to make the final day
and using that statistic Gaspic & Sitic (CRO) and Diaz &
Baltins (USA) would still be in the running to make the final day
on Saturday, with a $200,000 Prize Purse.
For more information visit the official SSL website
www.starsailors.com
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