The second day of 49er, 49erFX and Nacra 17 World Championships, organised by Oman Sail from 16 – 21 November, shows favorites fight to top in Nacra 17. It might be expected that the most decorated Nacra 17 sailors lead the fleet by day two of the 2021 worlds, but today’s shift by Italians Vittorio Bissaro and Maelle Frascari to the top slot didn’t come easy. And across the three Olympic classes out on the blue green waters of the Indian Ocean, the biggest moves in results weren’t just into medal position, but, more importantly, to within striking distance.
Bissaro and Frascari, the 2019 world champions, were most consistent with a 2,4,1 scoreline to hold a two-point lead over both Kolhoff and Stuhlemmer (GER), and Gimson and Burnett (GBR), Tokyo’s bronze and silver medalists respectively.
A big challenge for the teams in all three Olympic classes has been trying to see the puffs, as the bright waters and endless sun don’t leave much shading from puffs.
Despite more mixed scores further down the fleet, it is clear that small errors are causing big losses on the water. Competitive fleets and variable winds have left plenty of passing opportunities. The Italians scored double digits in race two when Frascari fell overboard and needed to be recovered. In race six, the British capsized during a gybe and dropped back to 8th. Clearly there is some rust on these teams after a competitive break.
Despite a tenth in the last race of the day, the Finnish pair of Kurtbay and Keskenin were impervious to the wind and sea-state challenges and won the first two races, making them the biggest mover on day two. “Yeah, it felt good to have a win again,” said Kurtbay. “Once ahead, things got easier, we were able to go fast enough to hold off everyone. We were a bit nervous across the finish, as the horn was a bit late.”
New Kids on the Block
The 49er fleet saw teams go from hero to zero on some of the beats today. Korean and Indian teams felt the pain after their sides caved in as they neared the weather mark. But downwind speed and linking into long shifts allowed the top three in most races to fight amongst themselves.
Locked into that tight battle was the still-hot Australian team of Otto Henry and Miles Davey, who now sit in first.
There is a massive squad of young and hungry Australian skiff teams ready to take over the mantle left by Nathan Outteridge and Iain Jensen. Almost all of them are stuck at home, however due to virus travel restrictions. All but for Henry and Davey, who escaped in August to race the Junior Europeans and never went back.
Unable to return home, they’ve practiced and raced for the European fall season, gotten to the worlds, and landed on top of the standings after day two. They are as surprised as anyone. Even after a good day on day two, with a 2, 13, 5, they didn’t expect to be trading their third place Forward WiP leaders jerseys for yellow ones. |
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