Only one match race has been held out of the two planned. And that one started one hour later because of the strong wind. It was decided not to hold the second race as the waves were splashing on decks, and sailors, and the TV teams onboard – it made sailing in the strong western wind with gusts up to 24 knots next to impossible to survive, be safe and sound for the athletes and the boats.
Boris Khabarov: “We were given a chance to participate only in one match race today. But generally speaking everything is shipshape! We are enjoying the atmosphere and special moments on water- the competition is definitely to our liking, including the perfect distance and very interesting kind of weather-a lovely combination of sun, rain and wind rolled into one! Nothing to complain of! To make the long story short: the organization of the event is exceptionally very good!”
To be exact not all the sailors got ashore in good mood. The main intrigue of the day was the battle between the best leading sailors of the class Dmitry Samokhin (RUS76) and Anatoly Loginov (RUS27). Loginov was the first in the flight, he managed to tactically outsmart Samokhin thus leaving only the second place vacant for Samokhin. But after the flight the protest against RUS27 for violating rule No.11 was handed over by Samokhin to Protest Committee. Protest Committee considered the application valid and made the necessary corrections so the team of Loginov was disqualified and that is how Samokhin again became the leader of the day.
Dmitry Samokhin: “ Under heavy weather conditions we are having today, breaking rules means no advantage gained or, better to say, observing and keeping to the Racing Rules of Sailing becomes especially important because it is the matter of safety on water for people and boats. The fact that the team of Loginov in the situation windward-leeward did not keep clear making contact with the boat and if we were to continue keeping to our course, the more serious collision could have happened.
Protest Committee decision was taken in our favour and that was in full compliance with the Rules from my point of view. It is understandable that our respected opponents may be of different opinion. Frankly speaking, we are still a little bit nervous after the situation we got through and I am sure the crew of Anatoly as well, but such situations do happen rather often at the competitions and we are supposed to treat them with reason and knowledge. RUS 27 – is an outstanding team of professionals, and it is a great pleasure and honour for us to compete with them- no doubt we have been doing our utmost! I am not very much satisfied with the third racing day as to the situation above was added the breakage of spinnaker halyard and the second full course we had to sail under genoa and that of course showed in the results of the race- we were the 4th to come though we were the first to round under the finishing “voor de wind”, the wind at our back! Tomorrow will come, two or may be just one match race will be held and the winners and medalists will be announced. Oh, I believe in tomorrow! We are all waiting for a stroke of good fortune! ”
The third racing day of the Championship, announced are the five best teams: Fogelson (RUS 35), Borodinov (RUS 2), Evdokimenko (RUS 47). Total: Samokhin (RUS 76), Loginov (RUS 27), Goyhberg (RUS 98).
Official results after 5 flights and the photos of the third day at www.dragonopen.ru
