The Fireball Worlds 2007 start today in Silvaplana, Switzerland. A world famous venue – St. Moritz – strong thermic winds and 96 boats entered, among which 38 British teams, promise a top sailing event.
Last week, the organising St.Moritz Sailing Club hosted a three-day pre-regatta as a warm-up event.
During the first two days of this Alpine Challenge – lake Silvaplana is at 5624 feet - the 56 boats competing in this event enjoyed sailing at its best. In winds of 20 to 25 knots, six races were sailed after which the Swiss team Frédéric Duvoisin / Laurent Grob took the lead of the fleet with one win and two second places.
On the third day, shifty winds between 5 and 8 knots favoured light wind specialists. Only two races could be held. Duvoisin / Grob had a bad day and finished 4th overall. The Czech team Martin Kubovy and Roman Rocek handled these conditions best and finished first overall thanks to very constant rankings over three days.
A very strong impression was made by the defending world champions, Erich and Ruedi Moser from Switzerland. They won one race and had a very constant series to finish 2nd overall. The British team Mark Maskell / Jon Watkins finished 3rd. Three other British teams finished in the top tens: 5. Derian Scott / Andy Scott, 6. Guy Tipton / Chris Tattersall, 7. Andrew Pearce / Jonathan Bale.
Other British teams who did not enter the Alpine Challenge have now also arrived in Silvaplana for the Worlds. During the Fireball Worlds from August 27 to September 1, two races per day will be held.
Overall Results:
1. Kubovy /Rocek (CZE)
2. Moser / Moser (SUI)
3. Maskell / Watkins (GBR)
4. Duvoisin / Grob (SUI)
5. Scott / Scott (GBR)
6. Tipton / Tattersall (GBR)
7. Pearce / Bale (GBR)
8. Butler / Moore (IRL)
9. Koran / Kvasnik (CZE)
10. Hofstetter / Krieg (SUI)
