From a photo finish to Race 7 between Ran Racing and Quantum Racing it was Niklas Zennstrom’s crew which got the verdict thanks to their excellent use of the pattern of gusts down the final run which they used to best effect, coming from 40 metres behind at the last top mark to pip the long-standing race leaders on the finish line.
With the SSE’ly sea breeze puffing up to 16-17kts at times and choppy seas, Quantum Racing won the pin end of the line which allowed them to execute their game plan to the letter. Ran were slightly downspeed on the gun but recovered well to round the WW1 mark third behind Gladiator. Gladiator took a hitch to the left of the run, breaking from the train and lost to Ran Racing.
But on the following run Adrian Stead and Nic Asher on Ran Racing recognised the extra puffs rolling down inside them and gybed left to use them. With extra speed they closed quickly to Quantum Racing and only just caught them on the line, the closest finish of the season so far!!
