Saturday, April 12, 2008

Star Worlds 2008: Perfect Start...


Photo Winn Cooper

Mateusz KUSZNIEREWICZ and Dominik ZYCKI approaching the finish of the first race. Photo ISFA
Miami, FL – The top ranked Star Class sailing team of Mateusz Kusznierewicz and crew Dominik Zycki made it two bullets in a row today, the second race of the 2008 Star Class World Championships at Coral Reef Yacht Club. “We are smiling today,” said Kusznierewicz. “Sometimes people have just a good couple of days.” He and Zycki crossed the finish line one minute and 20 seconds ahead of second place finishers Marin Lovrovic Jr., and crew Sinsa Mikulici who move up from 29th place to 9th overall.

Kusznierewicz/Zycki were second around the first mark, passed the Croatian team before the leeward gate, and continued to increase their spread on the next two beats. “Dominik and I were talking about everything but sailing on that last beat,” said Kusznierewicz.

The Italians, Diego Negri and crew Luigi Viale, ranked second in the world, took another third place finish moving them up to 2nd place overall. “We decided to be more conservative at the start line then we went left looking for the first big shift and found it,” said Negri.

“Being in front in the top 10 on the course gave us an opportunity to improve our position at each mark,” he explained. Mark Mendelblatt and crew Mark Strube move to 3rd place overall with a sixth place finish today behind the Irish team of Peter O’Leary/Stephen Milne, who are now in 7th overall. - Full Report