The second day of the World Championship held at Fremantle Sailing Club was windy, very windy! The 62 Contenders left the marina in light wind but by the time they reached the startline the wind was around 15 knots, by the first beat it was up to 20 knots, and by the end of the second race the Fremantle Doctor was blowing at 25 with gusts in excess of 30 knots.

Both races were an internal battle between Andrea Bonezzi and newly crowned Australian Champion Marcus Hamilton. These two had quite a lead on the others competitors, with current World Champion Jan Von der Bank from Germany 3rd, a staggering two minutes adrift. Two minutes behind the two leaders means Von der Bank was around four per cent slower in a 51 minute race.

Andrea Bonezzi enjoyed the strong breeze immensely and by being a touch faster than Marcus Hamilton upwind, he managed to make the difference in both races. For the rest of the pack it was more like survival mode with countless capsizes and rudder failures.

With three bullets from three races the Italian is taking no prisoners as he chases another World crown. After three races, Andrea has a clean sheet, however, it has to be remembered that he was in the same position last week at the National Championship and eventually stumbled when the wind was light. In the cumulative standings, sticking very close behind is Australian Champion Marcus Hamilton, second to each of the Italian’s wins, and ready to pounce again. Marcus is followed by three other Australians: Tim Hill in third, Matt Hosie in fourth and Paul Green in fifth place.