The Official
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BONEZZI passed FRAU at the bottom mark, whilst both HOSIE and HAMILTON capsized at the gybe mark, letting HILL, current World Champion Jan VON DER BANK (GER) and ANDREASEN through.
On the second beat, the wind freshened to 20-25 knots once again and fat was fast as HOSIE and HAMILTON worked their way through to third and fourth. HAMILTON rounded the top mark third, passing FRAU down the run. HOSIE and HILL exchanged places down a wild and windy run, rounding the bottom mark with HILL just in front of HOSIE.
HAMILTON footed out to the left hand side of the course with BONEZZI following with a loose cover. BONEZZI stayed high in the groove and followed HAMILTON as he threw five tacks to the finish. BONEZZI finished comfortably in front, FRAU faded to third, followed by HOSIE and HILL in fourth and fifth place respectively with defending champion VON DER BANK in eighth. Later FRAU and VON DER BANK were both scored OCS, leaving the World Champion languishing down the leaderboard.
Come race three and BONEZZI and HAMILTON where again playing their own game at the front in strong winds of 25-30 knots. VON DER BANK, somewhat disadvantaged by his lighter weight in the strong conditions, followed BONEZZI and FRAU to the again favoured left side.
Thanks to a spectacular capsize by FRAU, the German was soon up to third at the bottom mark, although by that time BONEZZI had extended his lead and would keep it to the finish, with HAMILTON again taking out second behind him.
VON DER BANK had to defend his position from HOSIE, Paul GREEN (AUS) and Tim HILL (AUS), but thanks to another capsize by HOSIE and the German's speed downwind, he was able to hold on to cross the line third.
BONEZZI and HAMILTON completed another one-two in race four, before HAMILTON finally managed to get one over on the Italian with victory in race five putting him just two points behind the leader.
Nine races are schedule, with the Championship concluding on 14 January.
Top Ten
Pos | Nation | Helm | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | Pts |
1 | ITA | Andrea BONEZZI | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 33 | 7 |
2 | AUS | Marcus HAMILTON | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 9 |
3 | AUS | Tim HILL | 4 | 4 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 25 |
4 | AUS | Matt HOSIE | 3 | 33 | 11 | 7 | 2 | 26 |
5 | GBR | Simon MUSSELL | 11 | 6 | 7 | 3 | 5 | 32 |
6 | GER | Christoph HOMEIER | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 41 |
7 | AUS | Paul GREEN | 5 | 8 | 4 | 13 | 14 | 44 |
8 | DEN | Soren ANDREASEN | 9 | 5 | 9 | 18 | 9 | 50 |
9 | AUS | Chris CHAMBERS | 23 | 19 | 5 | 15 | 12 | 74 |
10 | GBR | David DAVIES | 16 | 14 | 10 | 20 | 17 | 77 |