DAY4 A LOT OF WAVES AND WIND AND TWO VICTORIES FOR THE UNBREAKABLE MIKE MAIER

As the Mediterranean in general the Adriatic sea changes widely from one day to another.

Yesterday was an almost non stop wait on shore until late in the afternoon the YC Labud and RC send all sailors out to try a race in light medium conditions.

Some sailors ended after 8 pm in a nice sunset while a bit earlier Michael Maier ( CZE ) and Attila Szilvassy ( HUN ) respectively won their groups ahead of Marc Buglielli ( ITA ) and Peter Mosny ( SVK ) .

Obviously in this central Europe, Finn world masters sailors from the area feel at ease in any conditions. Their experience pays and for some their knowledge of the very special local conditions also help. Since weather forecast is said to be similar ( strong SE winds ) as today small hopes are left about the result but the Duel between Marco Buglielli and Mike Maier remains and can still be done since the two sailor are only separated by 7 pts.

Altough considering his almost unbeatean experience ( 7 years on finns + 24 gold cups and 4 Olympics countless of numerous international Finn class events around the world ) Mike Meier remains the heavy favourite.

In addition to his expertise Mike appears to be, physical wise the UNBREAKABLE man in the windy conditions.

Race comitee decided to use Kastelanski Bay to run the windy 4^th and 5^th races. The quite long way to go there was already a risky business for some sailors who did’nt master quite high waves and fierce gusts.

Red group started first and soon after start, tacking to right side of course and towards Ciovo island, Mike Meier was on it’s way to it’s 3^rd victory. He mastered race 5 the same way to get another win. On the other Red Group Marco Buglielli was’nt as easy as usual. Being rather light he made his worst result ( 11 ) in race 4 while opting to the left side in second beat .

His 5^th race was despite harder conditions, better.

The other man to keep in mind on day 4 is Andre Budzien. The talented german sailor has been 3 times world master champion in a row during the past 3 seasons and before this he was also 3 times second.

He now stands third overall before final day and the final two races.

Whatever wind they have these three leaders will no doubt match each other closely but unlike bad luck plays it’s role or light weather favour the light Italians there are little chances to see any major change in the overall results.

Regarding ages groups Mike Mier is the best Master, while Marco Buglielli is 1^st grand master. Wouter Moolenaar from the Nederland is in 22 nd_ overall easy leader of Grand Grand Masters ( over 60 ) while british Richard Hart dominates de Legend group ( over 70 ) .

Regarding the equipment, as most sailors here the top three sailor race on Devoti Finns.

WORD BY FRANCOIS RICHARD FROM SPLIT FINN WORLD MASTERS 2010