185 Sailors From 17 Countries
Optimist South American Championship 2007
Niteoi, Brazil
After eight races Raul RIOS (PUR) retains his lead of the Optimist South American Championship in Niteoi, Brazil, but Benny GREZ (CHI), eighth at last year's Worlds, has moved into second place and best South American. Lucas SWAN (BRA) of the host country lies third, just ahead of another Puerto Rican sailor José NIGAGLIONI.
Singapore, which dominated this championship last year, is beginning to move up the rankings with three of their five sailors in the top 12 , and in the girls' ranking Rachel LEE (SIN) has moved ahead of last year's 'closed' best girl Arianna VILLENA of Ecuador.
Racing conditions remain very tricky with few sailors able to put together a string of good results.
Robert Wilkes (As Amended By ISAF). Image, Action from Brazil:© Fred Hoffmann