International One Metre World Championships in Gladstone, Australia – Day 4
by IOM Worlds 26 Oct 05:57 PDT
20-28 October 2024
Alex Scapens on day 4 of the International One Metre World Championships in Gladstone, Australia © Nick Lindsley
Day four was spectacular. Ideal conditions greeted the sailors today, with 10-15 knots from the East, which increased slightly and shifted left by about 30 degrees over the day. Racing started promptly at 9:30 am and continued throughout the day, resulting in 4 races, equivalent to 20 flights.
Yet again, the choice between A rig and B rig proved vital for success, with B rigs being the preferred selection. Numerous shifts and gusts created passing opportunities all day long. Fans also witnessed some favorite wins. Mark Golison from the US dominated two races, while young Alex Scapens from South Australia, competing in his first Worlds, also secured a victory, sparking an enthusiastic cheer from the crowd and sending his father, Phil, racing up and down the dock in jubilation.
The most surprising moment of the racing occurred when Brad Quiggin watched his boat capsize after losing his keel. Thankfully, the boat was recovered without any water damage to his electronics, and he had a spare keel, allowing him to return to racing in the next heat.
At the lead of the regatta, it remains a close duel. Ian Vickers from New Zealand and Zvonko Jelacic from Croatia focused solely on each other during today’s races. They exchanged a point or two in the first three races, but race four showcased real tactical maneuvering. Both competitors matched each other on rig selections. In the day’s final race, our sources inform us that Zvonko set up an A rig, Ian followed suit, and then Zvonko quickly switched after Ian headed towards the launch area, finally establishing a distinction. The A rig turned out to be the incorrect choice. The Kiwi fought valiantly but finished with a 13th place, while Zvonko secured a fifth. He now leads overall with 28 points, ahead of Ian with 30, and Alexis Carre holding third with 52 points.
There is still ample sailing ahead. Tomorrow’s forecast is expected to be similar to today. The fantastic conditions attracted numerous spectators to watch the races, and a substantial audience globally tuned in to the live stream. You can catch the event on YouTube, and links for the stream and results can be found at www.iomworlds.com
