470 Worlds -
US Teams advance to the Gold Fleet

Hello Race Fans,

The tension was high this morning in anticipation of the last race of the qualifying round for many teams on the cusp of qualifying. When we arrived at the venue there was good news for Hunt/Miller and McNay/Anderson. After the scoring mess was cleared up and all of the DSQs and OCSs properly accounted for, both teams had moved closer to the Gold Fleet cut, but both were still below the bar. We estimated that Steve and Mike needed a top five while a top eight might do it for Stu and Ross. On the women's side, there were no changes with Maxwell/Morgan and Clark/Mergenthaler remaining very close to the edge but above the cut.

Hunt/Miller and McNay/Anderson were both in the second group. The pin was favored at the start and both teams were in the vicinity. Steve and Mike were three up and Stu and Ross five up from the pin with 30 seconds to go. The first two boats ran out of room and peeled off leaving a perfect pin end start for Steve and Mike. Stu and Ross were less fortunate and were forced right. Left was good and Steve and Mike moved into the front row with Spain and The Netherlands who started near the pin as well. At the top Spain lead with Steve and Mike second and the Netherlands right behind. Unfortunately, Stu and Ross were trapped beyond the layline on the right and their Gold Fleet hopes were dashed. Hunt/Miller moved into the lead briefly at the bottom with Spain third, but the NEDs got in phase first and assumed the
lead. Spain took over at the top with the NEDs dropping out of the top
ten by getting too far right and missing the last big leftie. It all happened very fast in the gusty and shifty conditions! Steve and Mike, second at the top again, held their position to the finish. They ended up 31st overall, six places above the cut.

Paul and Kevin were in the third group with the rest of the Americans. I didn't see much of their race, but they were in the hunt for first up the first beat when they were caught between two puffs and rounded in the teens. They recovered a few spots to finish 11th, which is their first drop at this point. They held onto their third position overall, but are now sharing it with the Aussies they rolled yesterday. Mark and Howard had another rough one. They knew going onto the day that they were destined to be in the Bronze Fleet and had a tough time getting inspired, but they are upbeat for tomorrow and determined to use every moment here to improve their skills.

The French and Kiwis have made a big impact in the qualifying series. With six French and three Kiwis in the Gold Fleet, they account for nearly 25% of the total. In today's race, the Kiwis were 1,2,3 at the first mark! We will be watching these guys carefully. Paul and Kevin and the top Kiwis are currently unranked veteran teams returning to the game. It's amazing to have both of them in the top three. There are no more surprises in the top of the Gold Fleet.

On the women's course McDowell/Kinsolving and Clark/Mergenthaler were in the first group with Maxwell/Morgan in the second. Katie and Isabelle had a solid first beat, around 6th, despite having a huge kink in their mast just below the gooseneck. They held on for an 8th and have moved up to 17th overall. As we left the venue they were rigging a new mast which will hopefully solve some of the overbend problems they have had with the now dead mast. Amanda and Sara had a tougher time of it. They had a major spinnaker snafu that cost them many places and contributed to a 24th and a trip to the Silver Fleet, just one place below the cut. In the second group Erin and Jen were not it top form, but managed a 17th to just make the cut at 30th overall. The cut was at 31st.

The Greeks continued their dominance today with another win and a perfect score of 5 after a drop. The NEDs were excellent again and stand second with 10. The Ward sisters from Denmark, also coming out of retirement, are a very impressive third with 22, followed by Spain and France tied at 23. The Russians are right there with 24. It is very close with lots of racing ahead.

Sooooooooo, tomorrow the finals begin. The USA will have two teams in each Gold Fleet. Everyone is upbeat and we are getting better every day. Our four Gold Fleet teams all know full well that the starts will be much more difficult tomorrow, the lanes will be harder to hold, and the traffic at the marks will only get worse. It will be terrific!

Stay tuned!
Skip Whyte
US Sailing Team