There may have only been one race instead of three, due to fickle breezes dictating a late start, but what a race it was as five competitors fought down the entire run home to the finish in light airs.
Originally due to sail three races, only one race took place today as racing did not get away until shortly after 3:00 p.m. (UTC/GMT +8). Competitors waited around all morning and finally made it onto the water only to wait some more. Although sea breezes were 4-6 knots, testing the mental tenacity of sailors, the racing was slow but thrilling.
The Great Britain crew got their noses in front early to lead Australia, Canada, the United States and Malaysia around the first mark. Those same came five abreast from midway down the run home to the finish line, each boat stealing air from the other's spinnakers.
A game of tactics played out at the end. Britain was the windward most boat, so stayed out of trouble. Australia put in a gybe towards the shore, all except the United States immediately followed, but then the United States also followed suit.
As the most leeward boat, Australia was getting the worst of the deal so they gybed away again. It cost Australia dearly, but there was nothing else they could do as Great Britain finished first, followed by the United States and Canada.
The experience and expertise of Scandone showed as he and Maureen McKinnon Tucker poked their nose in for second and happily retain their series lead. On coming ashore, Scandone commented, "Today was light - in fact almost too light for racing, but fortunately we ended up close to the top."
The top three overall places have not changed. Nick Scandone and McKinnon Tucker's second today was enough for them to retain their five point lead over Daniel Fitzgibbon and Rachael Cox (Australia) and a further point away are John McRoberts and Stacie Louttit (Canada), with the British crew taking over fourth place, 10 points behind the Canadians.
Race officials now plan to run three races instead of two on Friday, starting at 12:00, an hour earlier than originally planned.
(BOCOG September 12, 2008)
