It was mixed results for the Ecover Sailing Team this afternoon, but the team are working well and are optimistic about the remaining racing over the weekend. Gitana, who came second overall in 2009, are holding a strong lead at the top of the table , The remaining pack stay close with just 12 point separating last to third, the podium is still within range for the chasing pack and the event is far from over.

Talking after racing today, Ecover’s helm Leigh Mcmillan commented,
“We had our heads around the racing today generally, we absolutely stormed it for two laps, but at the last windward mark we got a kite wrap which is deadly, but its all part of the learning curve so we won’t get too upset about it. After that result we had a really solid day, we had some threes and fours, but we still have a lot to learn. We need more time on the boat together as a team in order to gel, but that will come and its not too bad, I have high hopes for the rest of the weekend and we’ll be totally focused at keeping the pressure on and making sure we nail those mark roundings to stay with the top end of the fleet”.

The standard of the fleet remains high and the fight for the top spot will the tough, conditions remain very shifty on the race course which will mean the calls on the water will be that little more crucial if the teams are looking for consistent results. Conditions here are affected by a large hill that towers over the town. It has a steep side on one side and a shallow on the other. It causes the wind to divide around the hill, which creates a very large shift on one side of the course and a slower shift on the other side of the course. Because the breeze direction keeps moving very very slightly it tends to favour one side of the course of the opposite side, but never the middle. The consequence is that tactically the race course is very divisive and you have to make the right call about which direction to go,

“It’s proving to be quite a challenge on the race course,” commented Skipper Mike Golding, “but its obviously possible as Gitana are doing it, so we just need to trust our convictions out there”.

Racing is due to kick off at 1400 (BST +1) tomorrow with 5 - 6 races planned. Conditions remain breezy, with the strongest conditions forecast for Sunday on the final day of racing.

Leaderboard – Day 2
Groupe Edmond de Rothschild - 52
The Wave Muscat - 44
Oman Sail Masirah - 42
Red Bull Extreme Sailing - 35
Groupama - 33
The Ocean Racing Club - 31
Ecover Sailing Team -30
Team GAC Pindar 20

Source: http://www.ecoversailingteam.com/