Friday, Feb 23, 2007

Gulf News

Dubai: With the fourth day of racing in the Emirates Airlines, Marine Pool and Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort and Marina sponsored 2007 Maktoum Sailing Trophy under way, tables are turning and the winner appears to emerge from the horizon.

Lack of winds in the morning forced a delay in the start of the race up until noon yesterday.

In the first round of racing in the first division, Yo! was beaten by Mattafix to come second followed by Piece of Art in third place in the first division.

In second division Duboats Racing clinched first place in the first race of the day sending Le Meridien Mina Seyahi - Kenavo in their Archam Bault 35 to second place.

Shahrazad did well for their second consecutive day to stay in third place in the first race.

In third division, history seemed to repeat itself with the teams in the lead maintaining their same positions as yesterday in the first race.

Eureka Group Sailing Team maintained their first place in race one of the day followed by Blitzem and Still Pennyless in second and third respectively.

In the eighth race of the series there were sudden changes. Yo! cruised with a marginal lead to finish first. Faith managed a safe second place and the strategy is safe racing with of course a bit of luck.

Should they stay consistent Faith will have to concede to second place should they be able to beat Mattafix in the penultimate races today. The Russell Coutts 44 Team Aqua did not have a great start yesterday but did very well to jump from sixth position in the first race of the day to third place in the second race.

A lagging Le Meridien Mina Seyahi - Kenavo Archam Bault 35 in second division at the start of the series has shown tremendous results in the eighth race of the series.

Taking first place in the second race Kenavo has secured their place at the top of the championship.

Alexander Mercier, Le Meridien Mina Seyahi - Kenavo skipper was ecstatic with the win but is cautious as the overall point difference between him and Spirit of Juniper is just one point.

Spirit of Juniper secured second place in the second race of the day followed by Yousef Bin Lahej and Christophe Vanek in Duboats Racing at third position.

Gulf News 2007. All rights reserved.