Tuesday, 11 February 2003

It is the united nations of sailing with the top 5 positions going to 5 different countries. But after Mondayıs "almost gone with the wind" day 2 was better, and although not a raging gale by any means, 4 races were conducted in the West Johore Straits.

It looks as though this regatta is going to go right down to the wire as far as points are concerned. The changeable weather has altered the pecking order of positions across the board. On the water competitors are facing tough tactical conditions as the race varies from leg to leg.

Top competitors that were caught out by the tricky conditions on the first day have started to come through the fleet. Most competitors are learning the race area and for awhile it looked as though the series was going to develop into a Mitch Booth versus Enrique Figueroa battle but then things changed.

In the first race of the day, Greg Thomas/Jacques Bernier earned an OCS. Enrique had to restart race 4 and wound up clawing through the fleet to end up 16th. Mitch Booth was carrying an 18th position from the first day. Camille Dol/Francoise Boulaire of France, who in race 1 was second, scored a 29th in race 5.

The Northeast Monsoon is the predominant weather pattern for this time of year but another Northwest system moved over the race area at about midday. By afternoon a further 2 systems had made their presence known as things started to turn grey.

Race 4 coincided with the shift in the weather and the leaders were lucky to finish the last beat in fading airs and, six boats failed to finish within the time limit.

The wind clocked completely around and the sea breeze for Race 5 certainly cooled things off. But the fresh wind also meant that the entire course had to be swung 180 degrees. With the course re-laid race five got underway. There were 2 general recalls for the fleet as the new orientation of the course had now placed the current as pushing the fleet on the first leg.

At the end of day 2 the most consistent performance came from the Greg Thomas/Jacques Bernier pair but with 10 more races to go, their 2 point advantage is for the moment, a narrow lead. So itıs far from over. Conditions are tough in one sense, but all this changing and uncertainty means its going to be a well-earned trophy for someone at the end of the week.

As we enter day 3, the weather pattern looks like it could mirror what weıve already experienced so expect the unexpected.

Top five positions

Place     Team                    Race     1    2    3    4    5
1. Greg Thomas/Jacques Bernier, USA        3    1    4    ocs    1
2. Enrique Figueroa/Jorge Hernandez, PUR        1    7    1    16    2
3. Mitch Booth/Taylor Booth, NED            18    4    2    1    10
4. Aaron Worrall/Andrew Keag, AUS            9    3    12    8    6
5. Eric Proust/Yann Andrillon, FRA            14    8    3    2    15

Complete results and pictures available at www.hobieworlds.com

Scott McCook
boats@asiaboatrag.net