BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA-(7-12-2006) It took some time for the breeze to come in today. Race 5 was delayed in 45 minutes and started in very light conditions - SE 6-8 knots.
Spanish Javier Padron & Antonio Cuevas Mons rounded the weather mark in first after having a clean start at the RC side while the pin end of the starting line was very busy. Australians Darren Bundock & Glenn Ashby rounded right behind them, took over the lead mid way down the first downwind and got the bullet of the race 1 minute ahead of second placed AUT Roman Hagara & Hans Peter Steinacher.
' That's the first time I finished first in a Tornado Worlds', says with a big smile 4 times A-Class World Champion Glenn Ashby.
Canadians Oskar Johansson & Kevin Stittle were third and Germans Johannes Polgar & Florian Spalteholz fourth.
Race 6 saw the breeze pick up to 12 knots and most of the fleet choosing the left side of the course to reach the weather mark. But it was local heroes Santiago Lange & Carlos Espinola that rounded ahead of NED Micha Heemskerk & Herbert Derkson with a good distance between them.
The Dutch made their move on the second downwind gybing early into a pressure line to close the gap to the Argentineans, took the lead on the final upwind and won the race. Santiago Lange & Carlos Espinola remain 3rd overall.
AUS Darren Bundock & Glenn Ashby rounded the first mark in 9th position and fought their way back to 5th by the finish to take the overall lead.
Race 4 winners FRA Billy Besson & Arnaud Jarlegan crossed the line in 3rd.
AUT Roman Hagara & Hans Peter Steinacher got themselves into trouble on the starting line, started in the second row, and finished 33rd.
' Its fantastic to lead the regatta at the mid way point but the biggest advantage for us is to be the only boat not to have a drop race in the 20's. This will be a huge advantage as the regatta goes on', explains Bundock.
The youngest sailor in the fleet, British Christopher Rashley, will turn 18 tomorrow, the lay day. He and his crew Marcus Lynch are currently holding the 32nd position.
'I started sailing Tornados seriously 6 months ago. I sail Formula 18 but the Tornado is the Olympic catamaran class and that's where I want to be. It is an amazing boat and this Championship is an excellent opportunity to learn and gain experience. If I could choose my Birthday present it would be to win a race in this event', smiles Rashley, ready to celebrate his Birthday at tonight's Barbecue.
Top 5 after 6 races (1 discard)
1 AUS Darren Bundock & Glenn Ashby 14 pts 2 AUT Roman Hagara & Hans Peter Steinacher 15 pts 3 ARG Santiago Lange & Carlos Espinola 33 pts 4 GER Johannes Polgar & Florian Spalteholz 34 pts 4 GRE Iordanis Paschaladis & Constantinos Trigonis 43 pts
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