‘Star’ shines brightest in overcast conditions

The rains fell overnight at the Regatta Village at Crown Point after the first day of racing on Monday, setting the tone for weather conditions on yesterday’s Day Two of the 21st annual Angostura Tobago Sail Week 2003 in Store Bay, Tobago.

At the scheduled 10 am start, it was overcast and windy, as boats of all classes had their sails billowing and rearing to go on the DHL Worldwide sponsored day. Jacana, the J 46 boat from USA, skippered by R Young Johns, raced up the field from its overnight spot of 12th to second. But Guardian Star, with the trio of Tim Kimpton, Peter Knox and Paul Ammon aboard, is the boat that has its 11 other racing class competitors all alarmed. Formerly called Hooligan, the Beneteau vessel never relinquished its lead on the choppy waters and, by the way she is being handled, it would take extremes to deny them the “prize.”

On the other side of the coin, there were some bitter sailors and crew members. C-Mos, skippered by Jose Mosca, at the very start had the top half of its jib busted at the start of yesterday’s stage, causing it to fall from fifth to seventh place. Legacy, in the heat of the battle, had its ‘spinnaker’ torn. This in some way resulted in its drop from first place on Monday to third yesterday. In all the other classes there was a jockeying for first place, except the  Charter 1 class where Saga Boy maintained its number one position. Today is a rest day — Lay Day — at the Tobago Hilton where a golf tournament, a sponsor’s brunch and a party will be held while action resumes tomorrow from 10 am.

Results -
Racing Class: 1.Guardian Star 2.Jacana 3.Tenshun.
Racer Cruiser: 1.Spirit of Saint Nick 2.L’Antillaise 3.Hugo.
Charter 1: 1.Saga Boy 2.Obsession 3.Anniet.
Charter 2: 1.Hionga 2.French Connection 3.Spitfire.
Cruiser: 1.Sun Beat 2.Hotel California 3.Nirvana.