Fickle Winds Challenge Snipe Worlds

Talamone, Italy (September 25, 2015) – The Snipe World Championship organized by the Circolo della Vela Talamone is drawing to a close in Tuscany. With a very tight leaderboard, the final day of racing on Saturday 26 September will be crucial to determine the 2015 World Champion.

In the morning, competitors were surprised to find the cutting-edge and brand-new Frigate “Virginio Fasan” of the Italian Navy in Snipe Bay. The 144 meter long and 6700 ton displacement frigate dropped anchor in front of the Circolo della Vela Talamone at 7 a.m. to pay tribute to the 83 crews from 18 nations.

Yet another hard day on the water for the Race Committee, chaired by Fabio Barasso who managed racing in accordance with the Snipe class rules. On the water, wind shifted between northwesterly Mistral in the morning and northeasterly Grecale in the afternoon. The Race Committee attempted to start several races, but the fleet stormed the line over and over again resulting in numerous general recalls. Notwithstanding the sunny skies, flat seas and nice breeze, only one race was completed.

Former Snipe World Champion Alexandre Tinoco won Race 7. Tinoco-Grael (BRA) led the first three legs of the windward-leeward course but was rolled by Tavares-Carvalho (BRA) on the second downwind leg. A wind shift to the right in the last upwind leg allowed him to make up the distance and take the lead once again, crossing the finish line ahead of Jordi Triay-Luis Barcelo (ESP) and Raul de Valenzuela-Alejandre de Ona, third.

In the provisional overall standings after seven races and one discard, Louis Soubie-Diego Lipszyc (ARG) are still in the lead with 12 point margin (4-6-8-3-11-5-(22)) on Mateus Tavares-Gustavo Carvalho (BRA) at 49 points (5-11-(33)-16-3-9-5). Third, Manu Hens-Victor Perez Campos (BEL) with 50 points 9-2-(25)-10-19-3-7) and in fourth place Alvaro Martinez-Gabriel Utrera (ESP) at 51 (16-(84 OCS)-15-6-5-1-8).

On the starting line: Argentina (7 teams), Belgium (6), Brazil (9), Columbia (1), Croatia (1), Denmark (1) Ecuador (2), Finland (1), France (2), Great Britain (1), Japan (7), Norway (2), Poland (3), Spain (12), Sweden (2), United States (9) and Uruguay (1). Italy is represented by 16 crews in the Snipe World Championship.

The Race Committee shall attempt to complete 11 races on September 21-26. No more than 3 races shall be sailed per day. On the last day of the regatta, no warning signal will be made after 3.30 pm. Three races are required to be completed to constitute a series. When fewer than 6 races have been completed, a boat’s series score will be the total of her race scores. When from 6 to 8 races have been completed, a boat’s series score will be the total of her race scores excluding her worst score. When 9 or more races have been completed, a boat’s series score will be the total of her race scores excluding her two worst scores.

Prizes shall be awarded to the skipper and crew for the top 10 places. The Commodore Hub E. Isaacks perpetual trophy shall be awarded to the fleet of the winning skipper. The O’Leary Trophy shall be awarded to the crew winning the World Championship. The Earl Elms Perpetual Trophy shall be awarded to the winning skipper of the final race of the World Championship. Prizes will be presented to the best scorer of each day of races. A special prize drawing will take place during the Awards Ceremony. Only crews who are present at the Awards Ceremony will be entered into the prize drawing.

Event website – Day Five Standings

Report by Event Media