Monday, October 8, 2007

Battle brewing in US 49er trials


photo credit: Chris Henscheid
US 49er Olympic Trials

The mood turned tense for Tim Wadlow and Chris Rast even as they extended their lead with a 1-3-1 second day of sailing in winds swinging from 15 to 11 to 18 knots through the afternoon. At press time, after winning 4 of the 6 races so far, they were facing a protest filed against them by Morgan Larson and crew Pete Spaulding over a non-contact incident in Sunday's first race. Larson/Spaulding also had their second early start in two days and now carry two OCSs that will eat up their two discards due to kick in later. Veteran campaigners Dalton Bergan and Zack Maxam remain in second place after a strong 4-1-2 day. Rast said, "We like the conditions we're seeing right now. It's windy and a lot of teams had been practicing for light air." They might have been thinking ahead to Qingdao, the notoriously light Olympic venue. "But you have to get there first," Rast said. He and Wadlow overcame a poor start in the first race but nailed a jibe-set at the weather mark that set them up to fly from fifth to first downwind. ---Margo Hemond reporting

There are only two throw outs if all the races are sailed. Team Larson is up against the ropes! - SK