HYERES, FRANCE-(24-4-2005)  .The Easterly wind, strengthened throughout the day to reach 20 to 25 knots when racing started for the Mistral, Laser and 470. With the wind increasing to 30 knots and rolling waves on the course, the racing committee decided to cancel sailing today for the Tornados, 49ers and 2.4.
Two races were successfully raced and won by French sailor Fabrice HASSEN in the Mistral Men despite 18 DNF’s scored in both races. He is facing strong opposition from Spanish representative in Athens Ivan PASTOR and Quentin HENRY, in second and third place. Third on the ISAF ranking, Olga Maslivets (UKR)won the only race of the day in the Mistral Women fleet.
The 470 women and the men, divided in 2 groups, managed one race today. With half of the fleet abandoning racing, the Israeli Vered BUSKILA and Nike KORNITZKI mastered the gruelling conditions to claim victory in the women division in front of the French team of PETITJEAN/DOUROUX. Europe Gold Medallist in Athens, Siren SUNDBY and crew Kariane MELLEBY proved their ability in their new class by placing third.
The men’s groups were won by some of the most experienced teams of the fleet, 1996 Olympic champion Evgeny BRASLAVETS and Igor MATVIENKO from Ukraine and Italians Gabrio ZANDONA and Francesco DELLA TORRE leaders of the ISAF world ranking.
Two races were sailed in the Laser class, split in 3 groups. Leading the overall ranking after winning both races is breeze specialist Mate ARAPOV. His team-mate from Croatia is placing 6th after winning the first race and placing 4th in the second. Between them it is a close battle: Brendan Casey (AUS) is second overall after a 3rd and a 1st, on equal point with French sailors Thomas LE BRETON (1-3) and Jeremie STEYAERT (2-2), 3rd and 4th on the overall ranking. In 5th position is Greek sailor Antonis BOUGIOURIS (4 – 1).
After being postponed until mid-afternoon, races in the Yngling, Laser Radial, and Finn were finally cancelled for the day after a race committee decision.
Racing will resume on Monday from 12PM with the Mistral replacing the Easterly wind.
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