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15 July 2006, 08:15 pm
Day 2: Perfect Conditions
Su Sander WAI and Zin April AUNG from Myanmar competing in the 420 class
Su Sander WAI and Zin April AUNG from Myanmar competing in the 420 class

Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship 2006
Weymouth, Great Britain

Day two of the Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championships saw the sailors competing in perfect conditions, with winds averaging 15 knots all afternoon for the young talent in Weymouth Bay. Podium hopefuls have started to show with clear contenders across several of the fleets.
Italian domination of the RS:X windsurfer's fleet carried on today with Laura LINARES (ITA) having a perfect day with two firsts, giving her a five point separation to Israel's Maayan DAVIDOVICH. DAVIDOVICH is certainly not out of the running though and counting two seconds, LINARES has to keep looking over her shoulder. LINARES was ecstatic with her performance, 'Today the weather was better for me, as I prefer a bit more wind to get the board planing. With my good start and good mental preparation, I felt confident out on the water. It was a fantastic day!'

Emotions are running high at the top of the RS:X male fleet with Lukasz GRODZICKI (POL) staying at the top of the table for a second day, but he has Pierre LECOQ (FRA) closing in on him. Both of these sailors have been in this exact position before in 2005, when the Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship was held in Korea. GRODZICKI took gold and relegated LECOQ to silver. LECOQ certainly does not want this to happen again. 'I want to beat him this year and it is possible but I will have to work very hard for it. Today was very tactical with everyone making big gains and losses depending on their rig and finn position. I'm happy with my result but hope tomorrow I will have a better day.'

Also in the fray at the top of the RS:X fleet is Italian male entry, Fabian HEIDEGGER, with a second and fourth today, which allows him to sit comfortably in third. Weymouth 2006 is HEIDEGGER's first and last possible Youth World's because of his age, so he hopes to stay in a medal position. 'I'm happy with today, I know I need more wind to better my results but hopefully that will come. I love Weymouth, the course is just like sailing at home and the Academy is so impressive, I'd love to come back here in 2012.'

420 Battle

The 420 double-handed dinghy class saw Sebastian PERI BRUSA and Santiago MASSERONI (ARG) continue their pace, posting a 2, 12. PERI BRUSA and MASSERONI are both from Buenos Aires where they have been training hard the past year in preparation for the Youth Worlds. 'I feel comfortable racing here and know we are getting better. We came 13th last year in Korea and 20th the year before in Poland so second isn't bad; there still is a long way to go.'

Today's bullets went to Shibuki IITSUKA and Shingen FURUYA (JPN) in the opening race of the day, with Amit BROKMAN and Moshe APEL (ISR) tasting victory in race five. A disqualification in race four dashed BROKMAN and APEL's hopes to climb into pole position, which is where they looked they might be heading, having crossed the line in fourth, but the DSQ saw their position at fifth overall.

Australian 420 ladies team, Belinda KERL and Chelsea HALL have set a high standard in their class, with a 17 point separation from second placed Tal GEVA and Mia LEBEL (ISR). HALL admitted it was a hard day until the breeze settled in but they soon got into the swing of it. 'The first race wasn't good. There was a big wind shift on the downwind leg and we were on the wrong side but the second race we brought it back.'

Impressive results go to the team from Myanmar today, on what is the nation's fifth appearance at the Youth Worlds, with Su SANDAR WAI and Zin APRIL AUNG sitting in third overall. A bullet in race four helped propel them up and gave a clear demonstration of their potential.

Brits Continue Charge in Hobie 16

Another fleet, which sees total domination at the top on day two is the Hobie Cat 16's. British team, Tom PHIPPS and Richard GLOVER have three firsts, a second and fourth under their belts. The Singaporean team of Melcolm HUANG and Pei QUAN CHUNG were close on the tail of the British boat at the end of yesterday but fell back today after a eleventh in the first race of the afternoon. HUANG explained their feelings, 'We've had our ups and downs so far and although the first race was bad we brought it back with a third in the second. I like this weather, let's hope it lasts all week.'

Positions are tight at the top of the Laser class, with Emil CEDERGARD (SWE) and Luke RAMSAY (CAN) locked on equal points. The Swede is currently in first on count back, but the next few days will determine who comes out in pole position. Third placed Pavlos KONTIDES from Cyprus must also be watched carefully as this is his third Youth Worlds and he is still only 16 years old. Like his rivals he has been training hard for this event and feels it has all paid off. 'I do like the strong breeze because I am a bit heavier. I had an unlucky first race when I capsized at the mark but in sailing you have to deal with those bad moments and move on.'

In the Laser radial fleet Tina MIHELI? (CRO) had another great day, but with potentially seven more races in this Championship she knows her position is not safe. Second placed Maiken FOGHT SCHUTT (DEN) is hot on her heels. This is her first Youth Worlds and she is enjoying the event immensely. 'It's great here. Everyone is so friendly and helpful, I didn't think it would be like this at all. I had a bad first race. I sailed down the middle of the course on the first downwind leg and should have chosen a side and stuck with it. I did make up places though so it was a medium day for me; tomorrow is another day.'

Angela ALBELA from Puerto Rico is being funded by the ISAF Athlete Participation Programme (APP), which has allowed her to come to the last three Youth Worlds. The 18 year old wants to continue down the competition path, sailing despite living in the middle of the Puerto Rican countryside. On the ISAF World Sailing Rankings she currently has three events to her credit and carries a World Ranking of 83. 'Like everyone else here I would love to go to the Olympics and thanks to the support of my dad, driving me to the water to go sailing, I may get there. I am a bit disappointed with my 25th placing but there are lots more races. After my dramatic first race where my tiller extension came off rounding the mark, I still ended up having my better day. Things are looking up.'

Myrrh WALKER (As Amended by ISAF)
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