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Articles: A-Cat Worlds Report - Day 4

Added by damonAdmin on Nov 16, 2007 - 11:43 AM

Final day preview - The 2007 Ronstan A-Cat Worlds is shaping up to be the clash of champions that it was built up to be.  The top three competitors in the event have between them won national, continental and World Championships.  Lars has dominated the US A-Class scene, winning the last 2 North American championships with straight bullets.  Pete Melvin has won the 1997 & 2005 A-Cat Worlds along with many other A-class national or continental championships.  Glen Ashby is the defending A-class world champion with many other national and international titles including the 2007 tornado class championship.  Down, but not out are three more championship competitors, Luc du Bois, Mitch Booth and Charlie Ogletree, but to win, these three would need a major stumble of the top three.  This all leads up to a 2 race shown-down on Friday in what is building up to be a real blow. 

See hundreds of photos at
http://www.thebeachcats.com/index.php?module=pictures&g2_itemId=36401

The forecast is calling for the winds to build overnight to 20-25 knots, out of the North with gusts to 30 knots.  By 6:00PM tonight, one could see all of the competitors out checking and securing their boats to the ground (A’s weigh 75kg fully rigged and are easily picked up if not secured).  In addition the schedule of racing has been changed to add a second race to make up for Wednesday’s cancellation, pushing the start to 10:30AM EST.  As the “Cat Fight” continues, we will see who makes the starting line in the morning.

Day 4 (Thursday) Report - Racing began this morning in 11-13 knots out of the North, steady and solid.  The course was set for six 1.3 nm legs and got off on time.  The course was clear of kelp with a light chop, just a perfect day for sailing.  Glen got away cleanly with Lars close on him through the first leg.  Scott Anderson got in the mix and Pete Melvin had a difficult leg.  After the first leg, Lars faded a little and at the finish it was Ashby, Guck, Hoekstra, Beike and Calabria for the top five.

The second race began under a black flag with glen Ashby showing the way.  Luc du Bois (SUI202) and Lars Guck kept the pressure on Glen throughout the race, but were unable to pass.  The race finished with Glen Ashby 1st, Luc du Bois 2nd, Lars Guck 3rd, Pete Melvin 4th and Charlie Ogletree in 5th.  The standing after 7 races, including a TO are;

1) Glen Ashby              9 points

2) Lars Guck                11 points

3) Pete Melvin              23 points

4) Luc du Bois              37 points

5) Mitch Booth             39 points

5) Charlie Ogletree       47 points

Friday should bring out the best in these fierce competitors.  Glen will do his best to keep sailing his race.  Lars is going to really have to turn in a great performance to come back from 2 down to win this event.  Pete is still there in the running as well and all three are great heavy air sailors.  What a great finish Friday should be, four days and seven series of hard races and it comes down to 2 points and 2 final events.  This is what a “Cat Fight” should be, it just not get any better than this.  The Olympic trials came down to four races and four points, you had to sail the perfect race series to win.  This is what it is all about, the energy, excitement, passion, competition and THE real action-DO YOU BELIEVE THAT This is what the ISAF allowed to be voted out of the Olympics, what a shame!!!

See hundreds of on the scene photos at
http://www.thebeachcats.com/index.php?module=pictures&g2_itemId=36401

Results at:
http://www.acatworlds.com/res/worlds/2007_A-Cat_Worlds_Championship.html

Footnote: This is shaping up to be a very exciting finish! Good luck to all competitors.
 
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