Sébastien Col leads the way on Day One of the ACI Match Race Cup in Croatia. Image copyright Ante Verzotti.
by Irena Bistričić
An ideal northerly wind, that was sometimes stronger than 22 knots (18-25 knots), made for interesting duels in the race area below Sustipan on day one of the 22nd ACI Match Race Cup in Croatia.
Excellent coordination between the regatta committee and the sailors meant that eight flights were held from the first round robin, which was more than planned. The boats used are Jeanneau Sunrise 35s.
A breezy first day at the ACI Match Race Cup in Croatia. Image copyright Ante Verzotti.
Sébastien Col, representing France, managed to endorse speculations about him as a favourite from day one. He was unmerciful in his racing, collecting eight victories. Paolo Cian, last year's winner, has had only one victory less, and that loss was to Col.
There are two skippers who each have six points, Torvar Mirsky and Bertrand Pacé. The top four crews, after the round robins, go through to the semi-finals.
Bow action on day one off Split. Image copyright Ante Verzotti.
Croatia's Tomislav Bašić had four victories, as did Adam Minoprio from New Zealand. Dario Kliba is in seventh place with three victories, while Barbieri and Tarnacki won only one race and are ahead of Musikhin from Russia who did not succeed in winning a single race.
On how attention-grabbing and uncertain the racing was today: in the last flight, Col finished only two seconds ahead and took the race from the talented young skipper Mirsky from Australia.
Bertrand Pacé wipes out downwind. Image copyright Ante Verzotti.
The competition will continue tomorrow although the wind that won’t be as strong as it was today, but will be favorable as the weather-forecast predicts a northwest wind with a velocity of 16 knots. Two round robins are scheduled to be held, followed by semi-finals and finals.
Bertrand Pacé chases his opponent downwind. Image copyright Ante Verzotti.
Results of Round Robin One (nearly completed), win-loss record:
1. Sébastien Col (FRA) 8-0
2. Paolo Cian (ITA) 7-1
3. Bertrand Pacé (FRA) 6-2
4. Torvar Mirsky (AUS) 6-2
5. Tomislav Bašić (CRO) 4-4
6. Adam Minoprio (NZL) 4-4
7. Dario Kliba (CRO) 3-5
8. Przemek Tarnacki (POL) 1-7
9. Frane Barbieri (CRO) 1-7
10. Sergey Musikhin (RUS) 0-8
ACI Match Race Cup
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