NEWPORT, RI (Oct. 3, 2008) – Race committees are often criticized for not running races in big breezes. PRO Peter Reggio sent the M 30 fleet up Narragansett Bay today and managed to deliver two additional races in this World Championship.

The big breeze delivered a wild ride today as the fleet of high-performance yachts battled to keep upright in steady 23 to 27 knot west-southwest winds. Reports of 30 knot gusts were affirmed throughout the day and boats that chose their fractional kites kept the most control.

Teams choosing their masthead spinnakers were faster, but the speed was often costly, resulting in multiple wipeouts on every downwind leg. 

Jim Richardson’s Barking Mad proved once again they know how to handle the big breeze, posting finishes of 4th and 1st to take Boat of the Day honors.

Due to a collision which resulted in damage to Australian Lewis Perrin’s Superfly at the start of today’s second race, Mascalzone Latino retired from Race 8 and would appear to be out of the running for the title of this no throw-out event. 

The regatta now seems to be Australian and CYCA member Guy Stening’s Optimum to lose. 

Stening scored a 2nd and a 7th today and is sure to be covering Richardson and Barking Mad tomorrow, the final day of the Worlds.   Optimum is on 26 points, Barking Mad to moved to second overall on 37 points while Mascalzone Latino has dropped to third on 44 points.- Bunny Waht/Peter Campbell

 Full results @ www.m30worlds.com