Brazil is already in the final of the Nations Cup Regional Final match race. Henrique Haddad in the Open division and Juliana Senfft in women have already secured their places by winning their round robin stage (classification) which ended on Friday at Veleiros do Sul in Porto Alegre. Opponents of the Brazilians will be defined in the semifinal in a best of three matches between the respective teams from Argentina and Peru.

The first races in the semi-final series have taken place on Friday afternoon. In the Open division Juan Grimaldi, Argentina, went on to defeat Daniel Mendoza, Peru. Among the women’s team Argentinian Martina Silva led almost the entire race, but at the last downwind leg let victory slip away near the finish line to the Peruvian Tania Zimmermann. The semifinal will continue on Saturday from 10 hours for the two divisions. Soon after will be final in a series of best of five races.

The event is being held at the Olympic class boats Elliott 6m in both the Open and in the female. But in the London Games in 2012 there will be the match race only for women. With the exception the Brazilian and Peruvian women’s teams, racing in the Elliott 6m is a novelty for the other contestants. Henrrique Haddad liked to sail on it and said it has adapted to its design.

"It’s my first race with Elliott 6m and found it easy and fun to sail. Has good speed and is very nice. In the matches are selective according to the same boat. Our crew is heavier than others and this also favors us. "

The rain continued on the second day of the tryouts of South America, but the wind conditions were good, the speed varied from 10 to 20 knots in an easterly direction.

The Nations Cup Regional Final for South America is sponsored Marcopolo and Grupo Randon.

Final Standings Round Robin:
Open Division
1, Henrique Haddad, Mario Trinidad and Victor Demaison (BRA), 6
2. Juan Grimaldi, Francisco Van Avermaete and Rafael De Martis (ARG) 5
3. Daniel Mendoza, Giancarlo Polar and Wilfredo Lafosse (PER), a

Women’s Division
1. Juliana Senfft, Gabriela Nicolino and Daniela Adler (BRA) 8
2. Tania Zimmermann, Nathalie Zimmermann and Jimena Gaviño (PER) 4
3. Martina Silva, Ana Lucia Silva and Trinidad Silva (ARG) 0

Translated from the Veleiros do Sul website: www.vds.com.br