The first question was ‘Is there any
wind?’ and the second question was ‘What
will the format be?’ Definite answers would
be hard to find on the final day of competition
in Russia yesterday.
At the skippers briefing at 8.30, the first
answer was simple, ‘At the moment there
is no wind’, and the second answer was
‘Well it depends’.
After much discussion that started on
Wednesday, the Organising Authority and the
ISAF Technical Delegate decided that priority
would be given to completing the second round
robin before commencing with the knockout
stages. Immediately the mathematicians were
working out how much time would be required
to finish the final 7 flights.
If there was wind it was still possible
to finish the rounds by 3pm on the final day
yesterday and still have time for a knockout.
After the previous day’s lack of wind
it seemed like a miracle when a light northerly
wind built so racing could start at 10am,
and by 13.30 flight 15 was under way. Everything
was looking good.
With a win in flight 9 on Thursday Ed
BAIRD (USA) was guaranteed his place in the
Semi-Finals and with his win in flight 11
was guaranteed a place in the final if the
semi-finals were not sailed. Victory over
Bjorn HANSEN (SWE) in flight 13 gave Baird
the top slot in the round robin stage. Karol
JABLONSKI confirmed second place in the round
robin with a win over Baird in flight 15.
The last three flights were the fight
for third and fourth. Stefan LINDBERG PRESTI
(FRA) and Eugeniy NEUGODNIKOV (RUS) were all
in the running and the last three flights
saw Lindberg having to win against Richard
and then face a showdown with the in-form
Neugodnikov to fight for one of the remaining
places in the top 4.
Presti also had to win against Richard
to confirm his place and then a match against
Neugodnikov would tip the balance either way
for third and fourth.
So with ifs and buts a plenty the game
was afoot. Lindberg started well against Richard
and slowly built a lead that he held to the
finish, a key victory that meant he had to
beat Neugodnikov to stay alive in the competition.
It wasn’t to be though as Neugodnikov
took control of their match early on and sailed
into the final four.
Lindberg was out of the top four and Neugodnikov
was in, a situation that also helped Presti’s
position in the top four as even if he lost
his final two matches, he would remain ahead
of Lindberg in a tie-break situation.
Presti was on a roll with four wins in
his previous 5 matches. He won the start against
Richard and lead all the way to the finish.
This left a last match decider between the
Frenchman and the Russian, with Presti on
13 wins and Neugodnikov on 12 it was going
to be a close and competitive match.
Clouds were building over the lake and
surrounding area and a few spots of rain during
flight 16 were an indication of the thunderstorms
that were approaching. The last flight got
away with Presti leading Neugodnikov and rounding
mark one ahead. As Presti approached mark
two, the first squall hit bringing wind, rain
and a 30 degree shift.
Unable to make a course change Presti
just held his lead to beat Neugodnikov in
the round. The inclement weather continued
and the first bolt of lightning made the decision
to postpone ashore an easy one and the boats
were sailed or towed back to the dock to wait
for the weather to stabilize.
The wind changed from North to West to
South then to East as the thunderstorms passed
over and finally the wind vanished. Now it
was sit and wait time. With a prize giving
and closing ceremony scheduled for 7pm and
a total lack of wind the knockout final didn’t
look promising and at 6pm the wait for Baird
was over as he was announced World Champion.
The closing ceremony and medal presentation
was a sumptuous affair with the teams led
into the arena in front of the cheering crowd.
A troupe of dancers on stage entertained everyone
whilst boys and girls in colourful costumes
rollerbladed around in front of them.
Ed congratulated the Organisers for running
a successful event and thanked his crew, Jon
ZISKIND, Brad WEBB and Andy HORTON. The ISAF
flag was then lowered and the event was officially
closed. The gala dinner brought yet more entertainment
with singing, dancing and gymnastic displays
and mixed in with a measure or two some fine
vodka guaranteed a dusty head but some great
memories.
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