Contender World Championships day four - Can Neate do it again?

5:01 AM Mon 11 Jan 2010 GMT

'Jono Neate (AUS2323) - Day 2 Contender Worlds 2010' Contender Worlds 2010 Click Here to view large photo

On day four of the 40th Contender World Championships there is a lot at stake.

Current World Champion Italy's Andrea Bonezzi (ITA11) hopes of winning his eighth title yesterday came under siege from Australia's Jono Neate (AUS 2323) and the question on everyone's lips today was 'can Neate do it again?'

Competitors left the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron this afternoon on a day straight out of the Contender brochure - 10 to 15 knots of breeze under brilliant blue skies. The fleet headed for the Northern Course, located towards the tip of Green Island.

Race 7 was a clear start. Defending Champion Andrea Bonezzi (ITA11) was third from the pin, slightly back from a cloud of Contenders.

When the fleet eventually tacked, Bonezzi seemed to be controlling Jono Neate (AUS232) but at the top mark Neate rounded first as he had done in the two races yesterday. Behind Neate came Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron local Phillip Evans (AUS1753) with fellow RQ sailor Geoff Fisher (AUS2468) third.

At the wing mark Christoph Homeier had come into the picture while Bonezzi was buried at back in eighth.

With the series leader Neate clear ahead at the end of the second reach, the group behind him went the other way. They were never going to catch Neate by following him up the centre of the course. Instead they went hard left.

By the top mark Simon Mussell (GBR2420) had sailed into second place ahead of Evans. Bonezzi had clawed his way back to fourth place with Fisher about to be overtaken by Homeier.

At the bottom mark for the last time it was Neate - then day light, then Mussell, Homeier who had had a lightning run, then Bonezzi and Gary Landgon (GBR2421).

Neate crossed the finish line in first and said 'I started at the pin again. I crossed the fleet. It worked yesterday, so I thought I'd do it again.'

British sailor Simon Mussell was pleased with his second place. He started just above Neate as did Christoph Homeier who looked like he just pipped Bonezzi at the finish.

Race 7 Provisional Results:

1. Jono Neate (AUS2323)
2. Simon Mussell (GBR2420)
3. Christop Homeier (GER551)

More to follow.

by Rob Kothe & Al Constable

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Contender World Championships day four - Can Neate do it again?

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