World Championship Day 1

The first day was quite a windy day, since the morning was over 10 knots and by 11 a.m. was already 25 knots. Luckily didn't increase over 25 till we finished the first race (later on got to at least 30 knots). The sailing was very nice, not really too windy for most of the guys at the top of the fleet (but many had troubles and few had gear failure).
At the top Mark Tim Hill was leading just in front of Tim Holden, Marcus Hamilton, Me, Jan von der Bank and Matt Hosie. only after the first lap the fleet stretches out with Marcus leading just in front of Tim Hill, me and Matt Hosie (Tim Holden cupsized on the first reach and lost a lot of places). The next lap Marcus was just Ahead of Me and Hosie and Tim Hill not that far behind. The last upwind was decisive with me a little faster and I passed Marcus, Matt Hosie was fast too but Marcus showed more experience and just managed to Hold back Hosie in the 3rd spot. Tim Hill was 4th, a bit more back the others.
To notice the very good performance from The Victorian Guys living in Melbourne with 3 sailors in the top 4 and considering me and Christoph Homeier have been sailing in Melbourne quite a bit in the last few months brings the Melbourne sailor to 5 in the top 8!
The GBR sailors did not well probably due to the rough condition and the luck of training during the GBR winter.
The complete results are at: http://www.contenderclass.org/aus/freo2006/results_worlds.htm
Tomorrow is expected again strong wind and a little less wind on wednesday.

Gli altri Italiani hanno un po' sofferto le condizioni dure e un po' la mancanza di allenamento nel periodo invernale, in particolare Versari ha scuffiato 3 volte, Lorenzi 1 volta e Virgilio e' partito male.
ciao andrea