After taking bullets in four of their six races, the pair sit comfortably atop the men’s division. Gildas Phillipe and Nicolas Leberre of France and Athens’ silver medalists Nick Rogers and Joe Glanfield of England round out the top men’s teams as they head into the final series which starts tomorrow, Thursday, August 25th. Marcelien de Koning and Lobke Berkhout of the Netherlands are atop the Women’s fleet who are competing in one continued series.Alvaro Marinho and Miguel Nunes of Portugal, currently ranked #1 in the world and Nic Asher and Elliot Willis of England round out the top 5 in the men’s division. Ingrid Petitjean and Nadege Douroux of France had a strong showing today taking first and second in the day’s races to finish fourth amongst the women trailing Christine Bassadone and Saskia Clark of England and Lenka Smidova and Elizabeth Kratzig of the Czech Republic who are in second overall despite taking 12th in the second race of the series. After 2 days of acclimating to a punishing flood tide, the fleet showed why they are at the best in the world. While lighter currents and heavier breeze may have contributed a bit, it was clear the fleet had adapted to the heavy current and shifting, gusting winds that SF Bay is known for around the world. Getting across the adverse tide quickly, the now experienced sailors footed to the shore rather than pointing in the biggest area of flood. The 470 fleet showed classic, short-tacking up the city front while even going inside the spit end layline to enjoy the back eddy off the marina wall. At the top mark, sailors now took the tight port tack layline to be as close to the mark in the flood river making judgement calls much easier.The day started with a moderate breeze and while the fog burned back to the Golden Gate Bridge, the race committee got all 6 races off early and finished the day around 2:00 pm. This avoided the forecast 35 knots of gale warning as well as hopefully giving the participants some needed down time before the final series begins tomorrow.

Source: Event Media