9th of March, 2013

Heat is on in Miami

With up to three races planned for the Saturday showdown for the Gaastra 52 World Championships title the four point lead of Rán Racing is still very tenable.

Azzurra are the closest title contenders but really need to not onlybeat Rán but put boats between them early in the day to give themselves a fighting chance.

With an eight points deficit off the lead the task for Quantum Racing is a little more difficult.

The breeze is forecast to be from the N-NE again, quite similar to yesterday but building to a slightly stronger 14-15kts and perhaps not quite as shifty.

Rán Racing’s owner-driver Niklas Zennström maintains that their crew plan to stick to exactly the same philosophy today as they seek to become only the third team – after Quantum Racing and Matador (now Azzurra) to win the 52 world title.

Our target before the regatta is to be on the podium in every race and that is what we aim for today. It is nice to have won four races here, but it is about not having the five and seventh places rather than winning races.
Niklas Zennström, Rán Racing

He maintained on the Miami Beach Marina this morning.

Racing has been advanced one hour today with the first starts at 1130hrs and no race can start after 1500hrs.

It looks a little bit better in terms of true wind speed today, probably 10-14kts from the N-NE so it should be good, maybe a bit more choppy.

I just told the guys to keep sailing as they have been but it is a three race day and so everything can change. But if we can keep going as we want on this last day then it will be OK. I think two places in the top two or three and it will be great.

We have tried to focus on the strategic side more and I hope today that will be more obvious. So having a good start and having a strong strategy off the line is important.
Rán Racing’s coach Thierry Peponnet (FRA)


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52 World Championship