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13 August 2005, 10:03 am

VINCEC Wins Race Six On The Line

Finn European Championship 2005

Kalmar, Sweden

Slovenia's Gasper VINCEC took a narrow victory in race six of the ISAF Grade C1 Finn European Championship in Kalmar, Sweden to bring to an end the remarkable run of five straight wins for series leader Ben AINSLIE (GBR). With four of the top placed sailors fighting for victory until the final few metres, it was the most exciting race of the Championship so far, although it has made little impact on AINSLIE's commanding 19 point overall lead.

The wind had finally settled in Kalmar yesterday, providing the competitors with great sailing conditions. Increasing from twelve to 15 knots, the breeze was stable and racing started under black flag after three general recalls. The Oscar flag, displayed on the second run allowed the sailors to pump on the waves and sail more freely.

First around the top mark was Michael MAIER (CZE) closely followed by Jonas HOEGH-CHRISTENSEN (DEN) and Emilios PAPATHANASIOU (GRE). Regatta leader, AINSLIE was in ninth position.

As in the previous days, the right side of the course was favoured. The run allowed the regatta leaders to get ahead of the fleet, with the leadership changing constantly between PAPATHANASIOU, HOEGH-CHRISTENSEN, VINCEC and AINSLIE. The battle intensified on the last run with the four sailing neck to neck. AINSLIE was protecting the inside of the course while VINCEC placed on the right side. The Slovenian gained enough ground to take the lead a few metres from the finishing line.

VINCEC is continuing on his good form after winning the ISAF Grade 1 Kieler Woche. The victory places him in third position of the Championship only one point behind PAPATHANASIOU, who eventually took second in the race. Discarding yesterday's fourth place, AINSLIE conserves a good lead with three races to go until the end of the regatta. Behind him, six sailors are within eight points of each others giving any of them a good chance to step on the podium.

Ivan KLJAKOVIC GASPIC (CRO) is still leading the junior rankings in 15th position overall after collecting 21 points in yesterday's race. Zach RAILEY (USA) was the best junior performer yesterday with a 16th place. The American is placed 19th overall and second junior with Tapio NIRKKO (FIN) third junior in 28th position.

Two races are scheduled for today which could see AINSLIE regain the European title he lost to Mateusz KUSZNIEREWICZ (POL) last year with a day to spare.

Top Ten After Six Races

Pos	Nation	Helm	R1	R2	R3	R4	R5	R6	Pts
1	GBR	Ben AINSLIE	1	1	1	1	1	(4)	5
2	GRE	Emilios PAPATHANASIOU	(22)	2	9	2	9	2	24
3	SLO	Gasper VINCEC	11	4	4	5	(39)	1	25
4	ES	Rafael TRUJILLO	5	6	5	(16)	6	5	27
5	DEN	Jonas HØGH-CHRISTENSEN	9	7	3	6	(42)	3	28
6	CRO	Marin MISURA	7	3	6	(14)	5	8	29
7	NZL	Dan SLATER	2	(35)	2	13	2	13	32
8	NOR	Peer MOBERG	4	17	14	8	11	(37)	54
9	UKR	Olexiy BORYSOV	18	(42)	7	12	8	10	55
10	POL	Waclaw SZUKIEL	12	15	8	3	19	(28)	57