Consistent breeze helps Rios maintain lead

The Puerto Rican duo of Raul Rios and Fernando Monllor kept a tight hold on their position as the leaders of the Snipe WH&O on the third day of racing. Not only has the pair proven that they are fast, but they have also shown that they are consistent. Competitors became eligible to drop their worst race of the regatta after Race 5. With the drop, Rios and Monllor have two first-place finishes, two third-place finishes and their worst race is a fourth-place finish. What’s their plan for the rest of the regatta? “Just to go out and sail,” says Rios. So far, the plan has been working well.

Also working for their plan were the day’s idyllic racing conditions. With winds staying within a 10-12 knot range throughout both races, Rios had enough momentum for the fast sailing he thrives in. The ocean course also offered some strong swell and chop, ensuring that the Snipes were hiking hard to stay competitive.

The Puerto Ricans can’t get too comfortable just yet, as this regatta has proven that fierce competition can come in unexpected waves. Previously ranked at the middle of the pack, the Japanese team of Ryohei Doi and Keiichiro Itagaki made a surprise splash on the scoreboard when they finished third in Race 6. “This is the first time for us at the Snipe WHO, and the conditions are a bit different,” said Doi. Despite unfamiliar conditions, the fast finish in the last race of the day propelled them up to fifth overall.

Even more surprising was the first place finishing team of Race 6. With a stellar start at the 6th race, Cubans  Raúl Faura Nieto and José Piña Nieto  were able to overtake two boats in front of them in between the first and second weather mark. They held their position in first all the way to the finish line.

Swapping places after a day of racing, Argentineans Luis Soubie and Diego Mini Lipszyc ended day three in second overall and Brazilians Breno Bianchi and Flavio de Castro finished day three in third overall. Brazilians Alexandre Tinoco and Alexandre Niederauer held their position as fourth overall.

With consistent competition and surprise first-place finishes, the current leading pack will have to fight hard over the next two days of racing. Four more races are anticipated, with the next one scheduled to start at 1200 on Thursday.

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Race Photos (courtesy of John Payne and Bob Betancourt)
Regatta Results

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