Paula LEWIN Sets the Pace
Paula LEWIN (BER) leads Guilia CONTI (ITA) © Talbot Wilson/PPL
Cicada International Women's Match Race
Hamilton
On the first day of the ISAF Grade 1 Cicada International Women's Match Race, Bermudian and champion sailor Paula LEWIN and her team had two strong races and are tied with Klaartje ZUIDERBAAN (NED) with two wins and no losses.
Lewin won her second race after the Japanese team skippered by Ikuko SAKUDO-HORIKAWA were black-flagged after receiving two penalties at the start.
Paula LEWIN has represented Bermuda three times at the Olympic Games and is a well-loved sailor in Bermuda. She is keeping the focus on reaching the semi-finals on Tuesday, but she excelled in the 30kt gusts sent her way on Saturday.
"It was very breezy out there today and I think it was a good call to reef the main and race without spinnakers. These boats take some time to learn and are tough to turn," Lewin said.
"Our strategy is to finish in the top four this week and get into the semi-finals," Lewin said.
"We are just taking it day by day but hope we get there."
For Dutch sailor Klaartje ZUIDERBAAN, who is now at 2-0, boat organization was very important for her team.
"We knew we would be racing without spinnakers and that we could shift our priorities," Zuiderbaan said.
"It makes use of the fact that we can shift gears quickly."
For American sailors Betsy ALISON and Cory SERTL, the day was a disappointment as the two top sailors collided on the race course in the second race. The jury heard a protest and both teams were penalized and did not score any points for the critical second race.
"We were on a collision course and I thought that Sertl would go up and that didn't happen and it was unfortunate," Alison said.
"However, we will do better tomorrow. The Cicada race is a great feeder event to the Gold Cup and we are here to do well."
Win/Loss Record after two races
P. Lewin 2 - 0
K. Zuiderbaan 2 - 0
J. Axhede 1 - 1
G. Conti 1 - 1
C. Leroy 1 - 1
B. Alison 0 -2
I. Sakudo-Horikawa 0 - 2
C. Sertl 0 - 2
Talbot Wilson (As Amended by ISAF)