MADRID, 10 Nov. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The boats from Tahiti, Chile, Antigua & Barbuda and South Africa were the first group leaders this Friday in the Gran Canaria SSL Gold Cup, the sailing World Cup that will be held until December 3 with the participation of 40 countries under a format of six knockout phases, similar to that of a soccer World Cup.
The first and intense day in the waters of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria did not fail its meteorological predictions, since the wind came to its appointment with about eight knots of intensity and a northerly component. Thus, the first 16 teams to enter action completed the first match of the thirty-second finals.
Group 1 with Tahiti, Bulgaria, Slovenia and Peru premiered around 11:30 local time. Aboard the SSL47, the Tahitian team captained by Teva Plichart gave their rivals no choice and was the first to add a partial victory to their scoreboard, followed by the Bulgarian team led by the award-winning Yavor Kolev. Peru, for its part, was unlucky and was forced to abandon early due to a break in the rigging.
Portugal, Cuba, Chile and Estonia were the next to compete from Group 2. They starred in a very tight assault and gave their maximum performance until the end. The victory went to the Chilean crew, captained by Pablo Lorca; Cuba and Portugal experienced a tough battle for second position, which finally went to the Portuguese under the captaincy of the Hepta-Olympian Jõao Rodrigues.
The third test, which pitted Antigua & Barbuda against Malaysia, Ukraine and Bermuda, also started very tight until the former took advantage of the leadership of Shannon Falcone, winner of an America’s Cup with Team Oracle, and separated themselves from the rest of the field. float until you win the race comfortably.
Behind Antigua & Barbuda, Malaysia and Ukraine fought for second position until practically the finish line, with the Malaysian team led by Megat Danial Najmuddin finally taking second place.
The last match of the day was Group 4 with South Africa, Czech Republic, Lithuania and Oman. The Lithuanians were the first to take the lead of the fleet until the South Africans, whose skipper is Ian Ainslie, stormed the lead and maintained their position until crossing the finish line ahead of the Czech ship.
With an inverse rating system to the usual one, now Tahiti, Chile, Antigua & Barbuda and South Africa lead their groups with four one points in their respective boxes. Thus, the 16 competitors of the opening day will get back on board the SSL47 this Saturday to prolong their fight. The first two countries in each group will advance to the round of 32.