Finn focus at Kiel Day four - Karpak leads a chasing pack

12:25 AM Wed 24 Jun 2009 GMT

'EST 2 Denuss
Karpak. 2009 Kiel Week' OK Press Kieler Woche

The medal race for the Finn class at Kiel Week couldn't be closer. A mere eight points separate the top six boats. Deniss Karpak (EST) is sitting at the top having taken the lead after race two, with Ivan Kljakovic Gaspic (CRO) in second, also on 20 points while Ed Wright (GBR) is in third on 24 points.

Tuesday was day four at Kiel and with just one race on the board from Saturday's decidedly up and down race, the fleet was keen to get going. So much so that seven boats were pulled out of the first race on Tuesday with black flags.

The wind was only at 4 to 8 knots, but it was enough, though it paid to play the sides of the course with not much wind in the centre. But the wind had finally appeared and three races were sailed that brought the total number of races sailed to four.

For some four races was still not enough as there is now no discard going into the medal race. Zach Railey (USA), silver medalist at the Olympics last year had picked up a black flag in race one and despite having three solid results ended the day still some way short of the medal race cut.

However, the day belonged to Ed Wright. Racking up two second places and a race win, Wright showed why he is the current leader of the ISAF Sailing World Cup. After a lowly 19th in the opening race on Saturday, Wright pulled himself right back into the competition and within striking distance of a third World Cup victory.

Relative newcomer Deniss Karpak (EST) is having a great regatta. Not out of the top nine so far, he placed 3-9-6 on Tuesday to head the field going into the medal race, while second placed Kljakovic Gaspic picked up a 8-3-5 to end up on equal points with Karpak.

The race wins on Tuesday went to Rafael Trujillo (ESP), Dan Slater (NZL) and Wright. After winning the opening race on Tuesday Trujillo followed up with a 5-9 to go into the medal race in tenth place, but too far adrift to take a medal. Slater placed 9-1-4 to end the day in fourth place on equal points with Wright and with a real chance of a medal.

So with four races down and no discards the medal race is really tight.

The line up looks like this:

Deniss Karpak (EST) - In only his first season in the Finn Karpak has improved race by race and is the dark horse for this regatta. A top Laser sailor, finishing third in the 2007 Worlds, he clearly has larger ambitions in the Finn class and is enjoying it immensely.

Ivan Kljakovic Gaspic (CRO) - Only other sailor to be consistent this week, Kljakovic Gaspic won Hyeres and now sits on equal points with Karpak. Proven light weather sailor and gaining in confidence all the time.

Edward Wright (GBR)- Has medalled at the last four ISAF Sailing World Cup Events and won three medal races this year. Has to be the favourite to take another World Cup victory on Wednesday. Won Kiel Week last year.

Dan Slater (NZL) - Consistent results in the top ten for Slater this week leaves him just four points off the top spot and on equal points with Wright.

Rafal Szukiel (POL) - Won the opening race on Saturday and managed to stay top ten in Tuesday's races. Generally poor record in medal races, but only five points off the top, so anything is possible.

Thomas le Breton (FRA) - First year in the Finn and his first medal race. Strong ex-Laser sailor. Only 8.5 points of the top so good chance of a medal if things go his way,

Peer Moberg (NOR) - Seasoned campaigner and had a reasonable week, but probably too much to do to take a medal

Kula, Piotr (POL) - Strong, young Polish sailor in his first medal race. A string of three 7th places on Tuesday in a 64 boat fleet is no mean feat and definitely one to watch for the future.

Skorniakov, Eduard (RUS) - 2007 European Champion who havs never really produced that form since, but pretty consistent this week.

Rafael Trujillo (ESP) - 2007 World Champion. Won the medal race at the Delta Lloyd Regatta, but counting a 35th here from Saturday's race, so cannot medal.