Two bullets for Spain

Two more races held at the Magic Marine BetPro D-One Gold Cup

Nothing is written in stone yet at the Magic Marine BetPro D-One Gold Cup.

After today’s two races sailed in an easterly thermal breeze of 6-9 knots, Argentinian Agustin Zabalua has taken the lead after four races and a discard. Croatian Ivan Gaspic and Hungarian Zsombor Berecz are second on the provisional scoreboard with only a two-point difference. Tomorrow is going to be a make or break day with two races scheduled, and the second one carrying double points and non-discardable.

In the first race Zabalua’s victory was clear-cut, whereas in the second the Argentinean sailor took advantage of the match race between Zsombor and Gaspic who battled it out on the whole last downwind leg, losing contact with Zabalua who gave it his best and overtook the two on the finishing line. it proved a great show on the water for all 30 helmsmen.

Back on land Zabalua stated: “Lady Luck smiled down on me today: I found good pressure at the centre of the course while the other two were duelling. I would like to point out that I come from the Snipe class and weigh 72 kilos. The Hungarian was an Olympic athlete in the Laser class and weighs 82kg while the Croatian weighs 98kg and races a Finn: nonetheless, we fought it out up the beat and down the run! Tomorrow it’s a do or die situation, but with the double point system in the last race anything can happen. The road ahead is challenging."

British Finn Gold Cup winner Ed Wright is fourth on the scoreboard (today with a 6-4) and Italian Alberto Ferrari is fifth (7-12).

Tomorrow the warning signal for the last two races is scheduled for 2 p.m. The weather forecast calls for a westerly breeze. Tonight a gala dinner will take place at the Real Club Nautico de Valencia for the 31 helmsmen from 14 countries that entered the event.

Results: