Tim Healy on 11th Hour Racing grabs early lead on Day 1 of 2011 J/24 World Championship in Argentina
Defending world champion, Tim Healy along with his crew on 11th Hour Racing, grabbed an early lead at the conclusion on first day of 2011 J/24 World Championships being held in Argentina. Healy topped the 58-boat J/24 fleet with eight points after clinching
a consistent third and fifth finish.
The weather conditions on the Rio de la Plata were ideal for a healthy sail and the Argentineans, who were familiar with the forecast of course, took advantage of their experience and grabbed four of the top five positions.
Before starting the first race, the participants had to bear a delay for the winds to fill in. As the breeze started blowing from 8 to 12 knots over the racing area at the Rio de la Plat, the two scheduled heats were completed.
The lack of wind postponed the first meet, however, the race committee set a course and waited for the breeze to surround the race course to get a strong start. After some time, the fleet began racing, as the postponement flag came down after some winds
filled in.
Argentina’s Mendieta skippered by Francisco Van Avermaete took the first race putting up a superb sailing display but they tumbled down to number 10 spot in second race. Race 2 was won by another local, Alejo Rigoni on Luca, who was at 17th berth
in the first race. However, overall, Healy and his team showed a consistent performance to hit the leading position in the end.
Top 10 standings at the conclusion of Day 1 are given below:
1. 56, 5235 Timothy Healy, 11th Hour Racing, USA 3, 5 = 8 points
2. 24, 5461 Francisco Van Avermaete, Mendieta, ARG 1, 10 = 11 points
3. 23, 5460 Miguel Saubidet, Fefe, ARG 12, 3 = 15 points
4. 18, 5447 Alejo Rigoni, Luca, ARG 17, 1 = 18 points
5. 25, 5463 Francisco Campero, Audi, ARG 2, 17 = 19 points
6. 43, 4618 Luis Olcese, Guerrero, PER 6, 13 = 19 points
7. 12, 5230 Juan M. Duarte, Palacio & Asociados, ARG 16\SCP, 4 = 20 points
8. 21, 5458 Juan I. Grimaldi, A Prueba De Balas, ARG 4, 17\SCP = 21 points
9. 46, 5044 Pedro Garra, Extasis, URU 15, 7 = 22 points
10. 8, 5043 Luis Cerrato, Normaii Medio Pollo, ARG 9, 14 = 23 points
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