Sailing Magazine
A change in conditions followed by a demanding afternoon of three rapid-fire races for Day 3 of the 2015 Trentino SB20 World Championships has seen a shake-up on the leaderboard.
The 92-boat fleet woke to a humid and windless Lake Garda. Overnight storms delayed the formation of the, usually reliable, early afternoon breeze. A later Ora breeze filled in mid-afternoon and three rapid races in 16-24 knots were sailed. It was a tough day on the water for many, with the atypical Lake Garda conditions proving harder to read and strategise for, and some big gusts downwind also putting pressure on boat-handling skills.
Ukrainian Olympian Rodion Luka, initially one of the early favourites for the regatta, stormed from fifth overall to the top of the leaderboard by taking a sixth, second and first place today. Adding to the three race wins he carries from the qualifying series, Luka and his ‘Skyline’ team now lead on 33 points.
One point adrift, Roger Hudson’s ‘Race Ahead ‘Spirit of Cape Town’ team has yet to finish outside the top 10, and with a 10th, ninth and third place today are now second on 34 points.
Ian Ainslie is now in 6th spot overall.
All is not lost for the South Africans as Asenathi Jim and Roger Hudson have experience in the class being regular podium finishers – and on the top step too when they won in Australia a few years back.
