The wind direction had swung to the northwest giving cross onshore as opposed to yesterday’s brisk cross-offshore. By 2.00 pm the wind had strengthened to 9 to 10 knots. Time for the racing to commence. Race Director Klaus Michel made the decision to send the Women’s fleet out first to complete their 6th race after missing one on day 1 due to the extreme conditions.

Race 6 Women

Out on the water alone for a change the full women’s fleet got away to a clean start at the first time of asking. The leading pack quickly pulled clear and this time Christine Johnston (Starboard/Neil Pryde) who rounded the windward mark first with 50 meters to spare ahead of Lucy Horwood (AHD/Gaastra) and current leader Dorota Staszewska (Starboard/Neil Pryde) and Geraldine Jambert (Starboard). The long downwind leg saw no change and the leaders headed back upwind with Christine taking the right, Lucy the middle and Dorota the left side of the course. Dorota had made the right choice and reversed the order once again at the top of the course, rounding 50 meters ahead of Christine. Geraldine Jambert, edged out Lucy Horwood when the British sailor overlaid the mark. The downwind leg was frantic with some of the girls on 11m2 rigs in a solid 15 knots. The first four stayed the same all the way to the finish flag.

DOROTA STASZEWSKA (Starboard/Neil Pryde) : "I went to the left side for the second upwind leg, which was much better. I was lifted all the way and Lucy and Christine both overlaid the mark. My start was not so good but I sailed well !"

Race 7 - Women

The wind had increased a little and stayed around the 15-knot mark. The women once again started cleanly and Dorota Staszewska made a great start this time and found the front of the fleet. Lucy Horwood was close behind at the windward mark but just could not gain on Dorota. The positions were unchanged for the rest of the race and Dorota comfortably took the win ahead of Lucy, followed by Christine Johnston and an improving Verena Fauster (Starboard /Gaastra) from Italy in 4th position.

After seven races from a possible maximum of 15 Dorota has once again built an impressive lead with 6 consecutive 1st positions ! The two British sailors continue to fight for the number two spot, but there is plenty of time for everything to change.

Women’s results after 7 races
– 1st Dorota Staszewska (Starboard/Neil Pryde) 3.5 pts
– 2^nd Lucy Horwood (AHD/Gaastra) 9.7 pts
– 3rd Christine Johnston (Starboard/Neil Pryde) 11 pts
– 4th Jenny Le Bihan (Bic/Neil Pryde) 22 pts

RACE 7 – Men

The men’s fleet got away after one general recall and this time it was reigning Formula world champion, Kevin Pritchard’s (Bic/Gaastra) turn to fire off first to the windward mark followed by Phil McGain (Gaastra) and Virgin Islander Devon Boulon (Mistral/ North). The deep downwind leg saw the top three unchanged, but Steve Allen (Fanatic) crept up to fourth and a hard working, pumping Wojtek Brzozowski tried to get the jump on the 10 sailors ahead by heading deeper downwind than anyone. It was an audacious move that partly paid off moving him into 6th place behind Israel’s Arnon Dagan (Fanatic/Neil Pryde).

The second lap was much the same for Kevin Pritchard, cruising out ahead on his own and that’s how he stayed right to the line. The battle of the Aussies carried on for second place with Steve Allen eventually getting the better of Phil McGain. Patrice Belbeoc’h (Neil Pryde) sailed a great lap to improve from 9th and pushing Wojtek back to 5th. Current leader Antoine Albeau (AHD/Neil Pryde) forced his way through the fleet after a shocking start to finish 7th, taking Devon Boulon on the line.

KEVIN PRITCHARD (Bic/Gaastra) : "I had a great port tack start with Devon, then just basically hooked in and held on. I pretty much sailed my own race and didn’t even have to cover anyone. I only made one change to my whole set up but sometimes that’s all you need to get that extra spurt and I just stroked the 12.0m2 for the home run."

STEVE ALLEN (Fanatic) : "I sailed a really good second lap and had a great tussle with Phil but I under-laid the windward mark by 50m and it would have been so sweet to make it. I am happy though and it keeps me in the game. Everything is still to play for."

That was all we had time for today, but the wind direction is good and it’s blowing about 30 knots now, so the wave sailors might not be taking too much advantage of tonights hospitality at the famous American bar. Their briefing is set for 8.30 a.m. So fingers crossed for great conditions.

Men’s Result after 7 races
– 1. Antoine Albeau (AHD/Neil Pryde) 7.1 pts
– 2. Kevin Pritchard (Bic/Gaastra) 14.7 pts
– 3. Phil McGain (Gaastra) 14.7 pts
– 4. Steve Allen (Fanatic) 16.7 pts
– 5. Wojtek Brzozowki (Starboard/Neil Pryde) 18.7 pts
– 6. Patrice Belbeoc’h (Neil Pryde) 24 pts