C.McKenzie
Racing in the second day of the Semaine Olympique Française got back to schedule with extra races sailed in all classes. Despite the rain, the Easterly wind reaching a maximum of 15 knots allowed racing to start on time. It wasn’t easy sailing with clouds creating uneven pressure in the racing area requiring the sailors to stay focussed.
Veronika Fenclova (CZE) increased her lead further with two victories and a fourth place added to her first place on day one. After taking Bronze in the third Sailing World Cup event in Palma, the Czech has mastered the difficult conditions in Hyères and is in a strong position with 15 points margin over second placed Katarzyna Deberny from Poland. Deberny, more known as Katarzyna Szotynska before marrying late last year, is starting again after the Olympic Games. Evi Van Acker (BEL) won the last race of the day to increase from 5th to 3rd overall, one point from Olympic Champion Anna Tunnicliffe (USA).
Other teams to increase their lead is the Danish pair of Henriette Koch and Lene Sommer. They are racing consistently with two second places added to their low score and lead the 470 women fleet by 22 points. However, Tara Pacheco and Berta Betanzos from Spain have taken two bullets to jump into second overall after a slow start into the regatta.
RS:X Maayan Davidovich (ISR) conserves the leardership in the women’s division while the day’s races were taken by Peina Chen (CHN) and Laura Linares (ITA) respectively placed second and third in the overall rankings.
Three races were sailed in the 2.4m who are back on schedule. Helena Lucas (GBR) takes the lead from Thierry Schmitter (NED) penalised by an OCS and ranked sixth overall.
After winning the Princesa Sofia Mapfre trophy in Palma, the Sibello are back at the top of the 49er fleet after winning two races and placing third in the last. The Italians had taken a long break after the Olympic Games. They return to international competition in top form.
Young French team of Axel Silvy and Ulysse Hoffmann are in second place overall after sailing consistently into the top 7.
"They have taken really good starts and placed well in the fleet, these small fleets are suitable for them.” explains Nicolas Huguet, who after racing in the RS:X is now in charge of the young French teams for the FF Voile.
Tomorrow will be the last opportunity for series racing in groups to qualify for the finals.
