China Team takes first win at Louis Vuitton Pacific Series

12:59 PM Thu 5 Feb 2009 GMT

'China wins her first race in the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series' ARL Media Click Here to view large photo

What started as another long day with a two-hour postponement ended in a clear victory over South Africa for Ian Williams and his crew from China Team in their first race of Round Robin 2. Williams sailed a sharp but safe race having won the start against Team Shosholoza.

Racing was again off Takapuna Beach on the northern track of the Rangitoto Channel. The fleet had waited till after lunch to get the first race off in a building northerly breeze. China Team, now in the Silver Fleet was in the fourth flight. Once into the start area, Team Shosholoza quickly gybed and both boats then gathered to the bottom right hand corner on the back line of the box. With sails flapping to kill time on more than one occasion, China Team was able to build speed in the last seconds shutting out Team Shosholoza and clearly winning the start.

China Team and Team Shosholoza were early into a duel matching each other tack for tack on the right hand side of the course towards Rangitoto Island. China Team maintained their lead crossing in front each time. Although the breeze had strengthened, it was still patchy in places and neither boat could afford to miss a shift.

China Team rounded the top mark with a clean hoist followed 18 seconds and 114 metres later by South Africa. Team Shosholoza gybed away but Williams, keen to cover gybed soon after. Closer to the bottom gates, Shosholoza reduced the gap coming down in slightly more breeze and went for an earlier drop. China holding onto their gennaker for as long as possible, made a perfect drop rounding 30 metres ahead. South Africa by now close on the heels of China Team had narrowed the gap to only 11 seconds.

In a stiffening wind, China Team maintained their lead up the third leg but the drama was still waiting to unfold. After a near perfect hoist by China Team, Team Shosholoza now 19 seconds behind were not so fortunate. After a disastrous loss of their gennaker, Shosholoza were finally able to hoist their spare but failed to cut the torn one free. Towing the sinking sail, the South Africans were finally able to dispose of the gennaker over the side with chase boat assistance. China Team by this time were close to 300 metres ahead and went onto to secure a win by 55 seconds having held the lead throughout the entire race.

Williams, pleased to make it onto the scoreboard said 'It was fantastic for China Team to get our first win in the regatta but we still have lots of work to do. If we continue to build where we have been improving, then I am sure we will continue to post some more wins'.

Tomorrow China Team meets the Greek Challenge in the 4th flight of Round Robin 2.

Times:
Mark 1: 17 seconds
Mark 2: 11 seconds
Mark 3: 19 seconds
Finish: 55 seconds

by Jenny Cooper

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