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Victory Challenge sqeeks by to play another day

Posted 1 year, 4 months ago

Victory Challenge sqeeks by to play another day
The Valencia winds that we have been waiting for are starting to make their appearance. Although people wanted to see Shosholoza continue their winning ways, most people were happy for +39 to get on the scoring board after all their trials and tribulations. It seriously looked like T-bone time when Oracle came in with alot of speed for a dialup with Mascalzone and turned up at the very last second. Later, both boats were over the committee boat layline with Mascalzone heading down and Oracle diving down with speed, getting the hook and driving Mascalzone over the line with four seconds to go.You could almost hear the Dickon rudder saying ow ow ow . The duel of the day was the Swedes and the Spanish with a “do or die” race to stay in the mathematical race for the semis. The Swedes managed to get a clean start to leeward despite efforts by the Spanish to get a hook on them. More than 30 tacks up the beat, the Swedes resisted getting pushed all the way to the right hand layline. Coming into the windward mark they were able to tack to port inside and round first. There is a pattern now that the Spanish are able to sail real low, still with speed after the mark. The Swedes pulled an interesting maneuver at the leeward mark. They did a dip pole jibe just before to cover the Spanish on the final run into the mark but apparently didn't have time to do a good drop. To the Spanish, and casual observers, it looked somewhat irregular ie intentional. The Spanish thought so and raised a red protest flag. If it was intentional it was silly to do since they were already leading. The drama wasn't over because the Spanish made a final surge for the finish line looking like they might take it but the Swedes crossed 7 seconds ahead to survive for another day. Full Story »

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