The Brazilian Nationals - Second Report

February 29, 2004

Another perfect day in Rio. With steady winds coming from 180º at 8 to 10 knots with gusts up to 13 the race course was set outside the Guanabara Bay, towards the city of Niteroi.
This course usually favors the land side and after the start of the first regatta that's where most of the fleet went.

On the second mark, the lead belonged to England´s Andrew Simpson, folowed closely by Stefan de Vries, Maguila and Dean Barker, the ones who explored the land side to its fullest. Signori end Florent who had dominated the previous day did not fare so well on the outside course.

At the end of the second upwind a 30º shift favored even more the land side. The wind picked up a bit at 10 to 12 knots with gusts on 14 knots. On the last leg Simpson confirmed his choices and went to finish first. Score one for the Brits with de Vries second, Godefroid third and Florent fourth.

On the start of the second regatta Zielhuis went over the line and had to double back. While all of the fleet went to the now strongly favored land side, Zielhuis quicly tacked and sought height on the seaside, tacking back after a few minutes.

Between the regattas the comission fleet, under the expert guidance of Pedro Paulo Petersen adjusted the course and set the upward buoy further than it was, prolonging the race course for the second run.

With steady stronger winds it was David Burrows turn to speed up, rounding the second buoy in first followed by Willems, Ainslie, and Signorini. With the course extended and the land side still favouring, velocity proved paramount and at the end of the regatta was Burrows followed by Ainslie with Godefroid in third, followed by Willems, Hajdu, Florent and Signorini.

Pictures of Day 2

Final Standings (not official):

Race 1

Andrew Simpson - GBR 6
Stefan de Vries - NED 6
Sebastien Godefroid - BEL 7
Guillaume Florent - FRA 73
Maguila - BRA 3
David Burrows - IRL 8
Bruno Prada - BRA 1
Joca Signorini - BRA 10
Balazs Hajdu - HUN 1
Bruno Ismael - FRA 972
Dean Barker - NZL 14
Sander Willems - NED 80
Jaap Zielhuis - NED 78
Ben Ainslie - GBR 3
Mauricio Bueno - BRA 100
Marco Aurelio - BRA 10
Jorge (Guanabara) - BRA 9
Gustavo (Guanabara) - BRA 108

Race 2

David Burrows - IRL 8
Ben Ainslie - GBR 3
Sebastien Godefroid - BEL 7
Sander Willems - NED 80
Balazs Hajdu - HUN 1
Guillaume Florent - FRA 73
Joca Signorini - BRA 10
Dean Barker - NZL 14
Bruno Ismael - FRA 972
Bruno Prada - BRA 1
Maguila - BRA 3
Stefan de Vries - NED 6
Mauricio Bueno - BRA 100
Jaap Zielhuis - NED 78
Gustavo (Guanabara) - BRA 108
Marco Aurelio - BRA 10

For more info: www.icrj.com.br