The LightSurf 2004 International 505 World Championships got the gun today with the completion of the first two races of the nine race series.
102 boats took to the water in brilliant California weather. Challenging wind and water conditions faced the sailors from seven countries but only five teams had to retire due to damage.
Local Santa Cruz sailor Morgan LARSON with crew Trevor BAYLIS crossed the line first in Race One followed by Howard HAMLIN and Peter ALARIE. Mike MARTIN with crew Jeff NELSON finished third with Mike HOLT and Carl Smit in fourth.
Race Two saw Martin/Nelson lead across the line with Larson/Baylis second, Andy BEECKMAN with crew Ben GLASS finished third and Hamlin/Alarie right behind in fourth.
The usual morning fog wasn't in residence so the worry was that an easterly flow would develop; instead the deepening thermal trough over the interior of California allowed the northwest winds to reach over 20 knots at the weather mark by the start of Race One. More than one team succumbed to the unpredictable holes mid-course resulting in multiple capsizes and most sailors were glad of the lighter breeze and smoother water to leeward.
Top Ten After Two Races
Pos |
Nation |
Helm |
Crew |
Race 1 |
Race 2 |
Points |
1 |
USA |
Larson |
Baylis |
1 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
USA |
Martin |
Nelson |
3 |
1 |
4 |
3 |
USA |
Hamlin |
Alarie |
2 |
4 |
6 |
4 |
USA |
Holt |
Smit |
4 |
7 |
11 |
5 |
USA |
Thompson |
Zinn |
5 |
6 |
11 |
6 |
USA |
Beeckman |
Glass |
9 |
3 |
12 |
7 |
USA |
Edwards |
Shelton |
10 |
8 |
18 |
8 |
AUS |
Nathanson |
Machin |
20 |
5 |
25 |
9 |
USA |
Miller |
Bell |
8 |
17 |
25 |
10 |
AUS |
Higgins |
Marsh |
13 |
12 |
25 |