IFDS Disabled Sailing International Championship, 2011, Homerus Blind Match Racing
Semi finals of the IFDS Blind Match Racing Championships will commence tomorrow on Matilda Bay. The second round robin was concluded today in two sessions with a break to allow the new wind to settle in.
Series leader throughout, Vicki Sheen (GBR), finished at the top of the table on ten points, though Russell Lowry (NZL) completed a perfect scorecard in the second round robin to close within one point. Luigi Bertanza (ITA) finished on seven points with four wins in the last round.
The second round saw some close racing and the International Umpire team of Founette Pauthier (FRA), Garry Deane (AUS) and Phillip Mostyn (AUS) were kept busy.
Today’s racing finished with the match between Sheen and Bertanza. Bertanza won the start but Sheen came level before the leeward mark. There was contact on the approach to the mark with the Italian incurring two penalties. They exonerated the first and remained close to the British team, but the second turn dashed their hopes of a match win.
Craig Gordon (AUS) has finished one point clear of Manuel Gimeno (ESP) and Sharon Grennan (GBR) who will sit out the final series along with Kylie Forth (AUS).
This is the first match race series for this Adelaide sailor.
"We are very pleased to be in the semi finals, but would have liked a few more wins to move us further up the placings," said Gordon.
Asked if his combined South Australian and Victorian team could claim a place in the finals, Gordon was reserved - "Just one step at a time," he said.
The semi finals tomorrow will comprise of up to ten heats. The petit finals and championship finals will be held on Saturday.
For more information about the event, visit www.rpyc.com.au
