ISAF Grade 1 Santa Maria Cup day 1

7:32 PM Thu 29 Sep 2011 GMT

'Lehtinen Bossard - Santa Maria Cup 2011' Walter Cooper &copy

The ISAF Grade 1 Santa Maria Cup Regatta day one got underway after looming thunderstorms and a lack of breeze briefly postponed the start of racing. By 1100, the wind was a steady 3.5-4 knots at the windward mark and racing was able to proceed under sunny skies.

The first flight of the round robin competition finished up just before 1230, with American Anna Tunnicliffe, Julie Bossard (FRA), Martina Silva (ARG) and Silja Lehtinen (FIN) winning their matches.

The second flight was briefly postponed as the wind was building and shifting to the south. Racing resumed with Silva receiving two flags at the start, and Baylis over the line early. Competition was close, only inches separating Silva and Lehtinen, who ultimately won the match, along with Tunnicliffe, Bossard and Dellanbaugh.

By 1330, the breeze picked up to eight knots out of the south, providing the championship sailors with better breeze as competition tightened. Races were consistently won with mere seconds between boats. Steady breeze continued through the afternoon and five flights were completed.

At the end of the day's racing, American Anna Tunnicliffe was tied for the lead with Julie Bossard (FRA) with five points, Silja Lehtinen (FIN) close behind with four. Dellenbaugh (USA) and Ferris-Choat (CAN) are tied with two points in third place, Silva (ARG) and Baylis (USA) tied at one point.