RS:X Worlds: Day Three – Lee Korzits Dominant
Yesterday’s rain and thunder was soon forgotten this morning as the fleets were called out into a building breeze after a short postponement at the ISAF Sailing World Championships in Perth Western Australia.
This was going to be make or break day for Blanca Manchon [ESP] and Alessandra Sensini[ITA] who were sailing together in the RS:X Blue Group. There was determination in their faces as they left the beach to go out to the first start of the day.
They both delivered. Blanca took 2nd and Alessandra 3rd behind Bryony Shaw [GBR] who is on fire. Blanca slipped in the 2nd race of the day posting an 8th and Alessandra in the 3rd with a 14th.
Sadly it looks like the dream of a podium finish is out of their hands now. They can only hope to take advantage of others’ mistakes now.
As for Bryony, this is the best start to a regatta she has had since La Semaine Olympique Francaise last year. Her 1-3-2 results today mean she is the only woman in the Blue fleet with a score in single figures after the discard tonight.
Over in the Yellow Group, Lee Korzits [ISR] is also on form. That is rather understating the case. She fired in 2 bullets and a second today, dropped a fourth place and now has a narrow 3 point lead at the top of the overall results.
The other sailor who had to perform today was Marina Aalabau [ESP]. Despite the intense pressure, she did not buckle. Her 1-2-3 results put her in 3rd place overall tonight just one point behind Bryony.
But, she is on notice. One more bad result and she is history as far as the podium is concerned.
It is these three who are well clear of the chasing peleton lead by Huang Yue [CHN] with Charline Picon [FRA] for company 7 and 8 points back respectively.
Tomorrow things are going to get even harder. The top 50% will race in the gold fleet so Lee, Bryony and Marina will go head-to-head. The battle for supremacy will be joined properly.
RS:X Women’s Top 10
1. ISR 1111 Lee-el Korzits 5.0
2. GBR 94 Bryony E Shaw 8.0
3. ESP5 Marina Alabau 9.0
4. CHN 47 Huang Yue 16.0
5. FRA 4 Charline Picon 17.0
6. ITA 11 Laura Linares 19.0
7. POL 8 Zofia Noceti-Klpepacka 19.0
8. ITA 46 Flavia Tartaglini 19.0
9. CHN 7 Li Ling 21.0
10. ISR 10 Maayan Davidovich 22.0
