Two more races were sailed on Tuesday, day three of the Pata Boats Finn
Junior World Championship on Lake Balaton, Hungary. Race wins went to Egor
Larionov (RUS), and Andriy Gusenko (UKR). Larionov took the overall lead
while overnight leader Jorge Zarif (BRA) dropped to sixth.
After Monday had passed without any racing, and with a storm overnight, the
Finn sailors arrived at Balatonfüred Yacht Club hoping for better
conditions. But, unfortunately, light wind kept them ashore yet again.
However, they began to be optimistic around noon when the race committee
announced that the wind was coming and the fleet would be taken afloat late
afternoon.
The wind arrived at about 16.00 and steadily increased. The start of the
third race of the championship began in 10 knots from the west. After the
black flag starts of Sunday, sailors were more cautious, stayed behind the
line and produced a clear start. By the first upwind mark, the wind had
increased further so the O flag was raised, for free pumping. The stronger
wind and the waves surprised most of the sailors, and capsizes were quite
frequent.
Anian Schreiber (GER) arrived at the top mark in the lead followed by
Larionov, Julian Massler (GER) and Zarif. These three sailors stayed at the
front of the fleet throughout, with the race win finally going to Larionov
with Schreiber in second and Zarif third
For the start of the fourth race the wind toned down to 8 knots from the
WNW. At the start sailors were more cautious than ever, and got away cleanly
again. At the end of the first upwind the race was really mixed up with
different winds blowing on the two sides of the track, so sailors had to be
careful which side to choose.
The big surprise was that Elemér Haidekker (HUN) arrived at the buoy first
followed by Larionov and Piotr Bajonczak (POL). The biggest loss was
suffered by Zarif, who rounded at the back of the fleet. The race committee
then moved the top mark because of the shifting wind. For the next big
surprise, the second downwind leg was led by Milan Dordevic (SRB). Behind
him were Gusenko and Larionov. Finally, Gusenko got through the Serbian and
won the fourth race followed by Dordevic and Larionov.
Two great results for Larionov puts him on top of the leader board after
four races sailed. With no discard yet in place, Zarif, counting a 34th fell
back to sixth.
Gusenko climbs four places to second, while third is Filippo Baldassari
(ITA) after a fifth and an 11th. Schreiber's good results boosted him to
fourth while Róbert Bakóczy (HUN) ended up in fifth position and leading
local boat.
After the fifth race competitors can discard their worst result, which could
cause huge changes in the overall order. Several probable winners with very
similar results fill the top places, so extremely exciting racing can be
expected for Wednesday.
Gábor Antal, owner of Pata Boats, who followed the racing afloat, said, “It
is very edifying to watch the sailing features of the boats afloat. It can
be clearly seen that with gentle changes in the settings, boat speed can be
effectively increased.”
Closing the day, it was absolutely no problem for the tired sailors to eat
up all the authentic Hungarian stew they were provided to ease the
exhausting day.
Racing continues on Wednesday. A series of nine opening races is scheduled,
with the medal race and final race for the rest scheduled for Thursday 6th
August.
– Julia David
