Day 2 Report

Sailors finally were able to stretch their legs as the breeze built throughout day at the Women's Snipe Worlds in Newport, RI. The Portuguese-American duo of Mafalda Pires de Lima and American Kathleen Tocke, dominated the day with two firsts and a second, jumping the pair from eight place to take over the lead on day two.

The wind was so incredibly stable that building leverage on the corners of the course never paid off. The leaders of the fleet were patient waiting for tiny shifts, and found that playing the current often trumped wind speed. Current was running strong up the course and made time and distance to the line very challenging.

In race one, Pires de Lima and Tocke led wire to wire, but not without the pair looking back to fend off Cronin and Couranz, who sit in third place after today. Finding her way to the top of the fleet in race two was, was Olympic medalist Lynne Shore sailing with young Newport native, Abbey Preston. Shore and Preston sailed consistently fast and smart on the upwinds, but a yellow flag downwind in the second race the team several places. They continued to sail well and bring them up in the standings after a tough day in the light breeze on day one.

The Brazilian team of Duque and Arndt, who won race one yesterday, were disqualified in the second race as a result of the protest with the Norwegians. Duque and Arndt struggled off the line in the first race today. Trying to make up for lost points, the pair pushed the line in the second race, but were OCS along with eight other teams. The Brazilians finally found their karma in the last race of the day, taking home a bullet. The Norwegians, who were leading after day ione, sailed consistently in the top five, are are second after five races.

The Race Committee, headed by International PRO David Brennan, have done a stellar job setting fair courses in very difficult current. They have 5 more races scheduled for the event and the wind looks favorable for staying on schedule this weekend.