Practice race - summary

It took three attempts to start the practice race. On the second start half the fleet sailed away and did the first leg and came in. On the second start, what was left of the fleet was evenly split across the course. The first beat favoured the left with more pressure while the shifts were coming from the right. Riccardo Cordovani (ITA) led round the top mark before pulling out leaving Henry Bagnall (GBR) Daniel Birgmark, Philip Ramming (USA) and Mihail Kopanvo (BUL) to fight it out. As usual boats pulled out on every leg. On the second beat the right was definitely favoured with a big shift and increased pressure. Bagnall led round the top mark, though Kpoanov pulled through on the downwind before pulling out of the race. Bagnall narrowly won from Uwe Bartel (GER) and Ramming, just holding off a fast approaching Jesper Petersen. Seven boats finished out of around 50 for the first start.