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29 Mar 2010

Day 1 at Princess Sofia Trophy

After day one of racing it is the familiar faces at the top of the men's and women's 470 fleets at the Princess Sofia Regatta in Palma, Mallorca.

The 93 men's entries are racing in two fleets, with Stuart Mcnay and Graham Biehl (USA) leading the men's 470 tied with the Australian team of Mathew Belcher and Malcolm Page with one win apiece.  Mcnay commented, “the good wind and the fast decision making of the Race Committee when changing the racing area have been key factors to their victory”.

His crew Graham Biehl pointed out that “this is a test event for them” because their goal is to improve their technique on the water.  Lucas Calabrese and Juan De la fuente (ARG) finished third in the class and second in their group. “Right now being third is not too important” pointed out Calabrese explaining that there are still many days of racing ahead. Notwithstanding, both are satisfied with the good results after adapting to today’s wind conditions that were favourable to them. Calabrese, has also praised the Race Committee for the decisions made on the water.

In Women's 470, the day’s winners were Giulia Conti and Giovanna Micol. Despite a poor first start, the team were able to climb up to seventh place and regain enough confidence to end up winning the second.  MARINA Gallego and Julia Rita Roman (ESP) lie in second place ahead of 2009 World Champions Lisa Westerhof and Lobke Berkhout (NED) who finished fifth in both races.

The opening race for the women was virtually won by which end you were on the start line, as Isabelle Kinsolving (USA) explained, “There was a large right shift in the first upwind, which started in the middle of the line. The boats that started on the right -got a jump. We were just on the wrong side. And after that it was really hard.”

For Kinsolving and her helm Erin Maxwell (USA) their disappointing opener was followed up with a solid third place which gives the pair a boost towards their goal. Kinsolving set out the team's mission in Palma, “Certainly top 10. Our first goal is always to make the medal race. And then we will definitely aim for the podium.”

There are 11 races scheduled for the 470 men and women, 10 in the qualification and final series before the final 10-boat Medal Race on Friday 2 April. With 98 entries and 26 nations in the men's fleet (second biggest after the Laser men) and 24 nations and 41 entries in the women's, most of the world's best are here.

However, many of the leading Asian competitors have not been able to put in an appearance as they are competing at the 14th Asian Sailing Championships which finishes on Monday 29 March and is the test event for the Asian Games later this year.

More Information:
Event Website
470 Men Results
470 Women Results