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Dramatic last day for the top Tornados
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| Tornado World Championship - Dramatic last day for the top Tornados |
| LA ROCHELLE, FRANCE-(19-6-2005) Race 9 had nothing less than 19 boats black-flagged, including provisional leaders ESP Fernando Echavarri and Anton Paz, which, at that point, cost them the title. The Spanish team entered the last day of the event with 11 points separating them from runner-up GBR Leigh McMillan and Will Howden. The situation changed dramatically with his black-flag plus the second place the British got in the race – McMillan and Howden were now 23 points ahead.
ESP Toni Rivas and Fabian Escude were the winners of the race and GBR Hugh Styles and Graham Vials, third.
The conditions again were similar to yesterday: sea-breeze 8 to 9 knots. But the wind dropped and Race 10 started under shifty and light winds and had to be cancelled once the breeze died completely.
ESP Echavarri and Paz put in a protest for redress as soon as they arrived on-shore. They had evidence that they were actually not over the line. After a long hearing the Jury ruled them correct and they were granted the redress which put them back in first place and World Champions.
“We were definitely not over the line and we were lucky enough to have evidence of that. We were being very, very careful and I wouldn’t risk the title by doing such a mistake!! We have been training hard, we have been sailing well. It was time for a reward – we are the World Champions! Gee are we happy!!!” explains Echavarri with a big smile on his face.
“It’s very cool to be the Youth World Champions! Now our goal is to sail as well as the top guys!!!” says FRA Baptiste Balzeau. The Youth team finished 26th overall.
TOP 5
1. ESP Echavarri/Paz 43.90
2. GBR McMillan/Howden 48.00
3. FRA Revil/Espagnon 76.00
4. GER Polgar/Spalteholz 78.00
5. FRA Guichard/Guyader 83.00
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Source: Event Media |
