The New Zealand Herald In-Port race was sailed in tricky wind conditions that made a big impact on the results.
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| situation just after the first Mark. |
Brunel, on port tack but leeward and overlapping on 4 boats, blocked the start line for Donfeng, Turn the Tide on Plastic and AkzoNobel. Brunel had a slow start herself, and had to let SunHungKai slip pass from their intended blockage. The other 3 blocked Boats had to turn around and pass the start line a lot later.
Mapfre and SunHungKai, sailed far ahead towards to top mark, but landed in a wind-hole, allowing some Boats to pass. Dongfeng and AkzoNobel will be thankful to Brunel for the hold-up at the start, as this allowed them to sail on the outer northern and southern side of the course passed all but Vestas. This ultimately brought Dongfeng the Victory and AkzoNobel the runner up place.
Mapfre, ultimately could take the last Podium place.
Vestas, repaired in time from the damage suffered from a collision with a fishing boat on the approach to HongKong, sailed nicely to a 4 th place.
SunHungKai had a good end sprint and almost passed Brunel, who sailed again a disappointing race finishing 4th.
Turn the Tide on Plastic, also got caught in the windhole in 1e leg, could catch up later, but not far enough preventing a last place.
Next event is the Start of Leg 7 to Itajai on Sunday 18 March , 01:00UTC.
