MELGES NORDIC OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP 2009
DAY 1
RACE 1
The start of the first race of Day 1 proved difficult with non-existent winds to begin with and a trigger-happy Melges24 fleet.
When the south-westerly wind finally picked up an hour after initial start time, another hour was spent with four starts and accompanying general recalls.
A succesful start was finally made at 4 o'clock, at the time the wind was a light 10 knot breeze. The fleet split evenly over the course, but first at the 1st windward mark was FIN-434 Miinakissa helmed by Joonas Päivärinta with EST-790 Lenny helmed by double Olympic medalist Tõnu Tõniste and three other strong Estonians close behind. One of these was EST-761 with Tiit Vihul at the helm who took first place at the first leeward mark. By now the Swedes SWE-537 and SWE-508 had caught up to the lead, with FIN-434 in third place.
The wind was now down to 5 knots, and due to the wind shifting radically the course was finally shortened with the second ww mark becoming Finish line mark, and EST-761 crossing it as first. Second place came SWE-537 with Jonas Svensson helming, and in third place Estonian Tonu Toniste's team EST-790 Lenny.
RACE 2
The second race was started at 6 pm in a nice breeze of around 12 knots. The course was shorter than previously which attributed to several intense moments at the buoys.
First at the windward mark was FIN-651 Lumi helmed by Kristian Raij, followed closely by Vihul's EST-761. By the leeward mark Vihul had gained leading place, with FIN-529 helmed by Sami Ekblad and FIN-651 close behind. With the course changed to longer, the fleet again split for the second beat, but Vihul kept his lead to second windward mark, as well as with the nice 10 knot surf to leeward mark, with FIN-529 and SWE-537 in second and third places. The race was finally won by Vihul, who is now leading the Nordics. Second place is held by Jonas Svensson's SWE-537, and third is FIN-529 with helmsman Sami Ekblad.
Full results click here
Racing continues tomorrow at 11.00 (GMT +3 hours) with 3 scheduled races. Our magnificent LIVE GPS will be following the fleet. Keep tuned!