|
RSYS member Ivan Wheen and his crew of Sputnik are out to take their revenge this weekend against Farr 40 OD world champion Vincenzo Onorato and his team of Italian sailors.
The Italians flew into Sydney mid-week to contest the Rolex Trophy one design series and yesterday demonstrated why they are the world champions.
However, Wheen, who finished a close fourth in the world championship in Denmark earlier this year showed that Sputnik will be a force on his home waters against the Italian boat Mascalzone Latino.
The Italians certainly impressed yesterday with their scorecard at the end of three races 1, 2, 1. It was a two-way tussle between Mascalzone Latino and Sputnik, which finished the day in second place on nine points from placings of 6-1-2.
Sputnik on Day 3
"It was tricky sailing today against some very strong teams, Sputnik definitely
provided some challenges. The north east breeze with the chop made for hard work but it's been well worth the trip to Sydney so far," said Mascalzone
Latino's British tactician Adrian Stead after racing.
Mascalzone Latino led race one from start to finish with Marcus Blackmore's
Hooligan hot on their stern. The last time these two boats faced off was at the
Rolex Farr 40 World Championship in Denmark.
Race two supplied some terrific surfing action with the nor'east breeze building to 18 knots. Sputnik showed the fleet the way with the Italians in hot pursuit.
"It's great to be racing against Onorato again and our Australian
classmates. Today was close racing with everyone on the ball and making the most of the great breeze," said Sputnik tactician Tom King.
The fleet had a general recall for the last race of the day and all eleven boats hit the start line with the accelerator to the floor. Sputnik and Mascalzone Latino threw everything they had at each other as they sailed the two lap
windward leeward course with Italians prevailing to take the gun by just 14 seconds..
The Rolex Trophy one design regatta continues over the weekend, with Farr 40s being joined on the offshore course by Sydney 38 and M30. The RSYS is represented in the Sydney 38s by Steve Proud in Swish and in the M30 by Guy Stening at the helm of Optimumm. - Sam Crichton/Peter Campbell
Close Window »
|
