SANTA MARIA CUP WOMEN’S MATCH RACING BEGINS

Looming thunderstorms and a lack of breeze briefly postponed the first day’s racing in the 2011 Santa Maria Cup. By 1100, however, the wind was a steady 3.5 to 4 knots at the windward mark and racing got under way under sunny skies.

The first flight of the round robin competition finished up just before 1230, with American Anna Tunnicliffe, Julie Bossard (FRA), Martina Silva (ARG) and Silja Lehtinen (FIN) winning their matches.

The second flight was briefly postponed as the wind was building and shifting to the south. Racing resumed with Silva receiving two flags at the start, and Baylis over the line early. Competition was close, only inches separating Silva and Lehtinen, who ultimately won the match, along with Tunnicliffe, Bossard and Dellanbaugh.

By 1330, the breeze picked up to 8 knots out of the south, providing the championship sailors with better breeze as competition tightened. Races were consistently won with mere seconds between boats. Steady breeze continued through the afternoon and eight flights were completed.

At the end of the day’s racing, American Anna Tunnicliffe was in the lead with eight points from eight races and Julie Bossard (FRA) in second with six points, followed by Silja Lehtinen (FIN) and Becca Dellenbaugh (USA) tied with with four points. Then Ferris-Choat (CAN) and Baylis (USA) tied with three points, followed by Silva (ARG) with 2 points and Ruhlman (USA)with zero points.

Racing will resume tomorrow, Thursday September 29 at 0900. For real-time race reports, tune in to www.santamariacup.org/commentary.asp. Results and other regatta information is available at www.santamariacup.org.