Finn action on day 3 at Medemblik. Image © Thom Touw.
by Robert Deaves
Following the frustration of Thursday, Friday brought perfect conditions with solid winds up to 20 knots and two tough races for the Finn fleet. With five races now on the board, the morning leader Ivan Kljakovic Gaspic (CRO) shares the points leads with Rafa Trujillo (ESP). Race wins went to Giles Scott (GBR) and Kljakovic Gaspic.
The points are tight in the top 10, though only Kljakovic Gaspic has maintained a string of single digit scores. He made it hard for himself on Friday though, having to mount a come back in race four before going on to win race five.
Gaspic and Scott. Image © Thom Touw.
He said, "We finally had some sailing without too much delays and waiting. Today it was petty breezy around 20 knots. In first race the starting line was very short and we had difficulty starting, so there were around 10 BFD boats. For me I had bad start and came up really bad on top mark but came back in front and finished eighth." The race was won by Giles Scott (GBR) from Gasper Vincec (SLO) and Mark Andrews (GBR).
Gaspic. Image © Thom Touw.
Kljakovic Gaspic continued, "The second race was better for me and with a clear start I sailed nice upwind and made great job on the reach and first downwind to get in front of the fleet. In the rest of the race I had control over the group and won this race."
"It is great fun sailing this event for me as I am relaxed and guys are also sailing well. The top ten is tight with points and it will be interesting to see the next two days."
Scott on day 3. Image © Thom Touw.
He was followed over the line in race by Andrew Mills (GBR) and Trujillo. With a fifth in the first race of the day, Trujillo dropped his 20th from Thursday to sit in second overnight, on equal points with Kljakovic Gaspic. Scott placed fifth in race five to climb to third overall.
Finns on day 3. Image © Thom Touw.
Now in sixth place overall, Zach Railey (USA) said, "We had good pressure all day long with anywhere from 12 - 20 knots. The wind was pretty shifty and you had to make the most of what you got on your part of the race course. It was hard to know which way to go. I made the wrong choice on both of the first upwinds in each race, but was able to make it back and have some OK results to keep myself close to the top guys."
Start of race on day 3. Image © Thom Touw.
The final qualification races will be held Saturday before Sunday's medal race, which can be followed live online through the event website.
Results after five races, one drop
1 CRO524 Ivan Kljakovic Gaspic 11
2 ESP100 Rafael Trujillo 11
3 GBR41 Giles Scott 19
4 SLO5 Gasper Vincec 20
5 GBR11 Edward Wright 21
6 USA4 Zach Railey 25
7 GBR88 Mark Andrews 25
8 CRO25 Marin Misura 27
9 SLO573 Vasilij Zbogar 33
10 FIN218 Tapio Nirkko 34
Finn Class
Delta Lloyd Regatta
