Cayard And Trinter Continue To Dominate

A blustery northerly that ushered in cooler temperatures also made for a speedy ride out to the racecourse once the postponement flag came down for the 22 Star teams competing in the 2004 US Olympic Team Trials-Sailing.

During the morning, wind readings built from 14 to 20 knots, and were predicted to peak around noon at 24 knots before dropping off in the afternoon. When the first race got started at 1300, winds were recorded at 18 knots with puffs to 20, and, as predicted, by the start of the second race had dropped to 16 knots.

Paul CAYARD (Kentfield, Calif.) and Phil TRINTER (Lorain, Ohio) won both of the day’s races and go into today’s layday with the lead in hand. That lead could have all but disappeared when drama struck them as they were leaving the marina in the morning. “We basically broke our mast on the way out to the course,” Cayard said.

The backstay slipped out of its cleat and their regatta and Olympic hopes almost came tumbling down with their mast. Their saving grace was where the problem happened, giving them time to get a tow back in, re-step a new mast in 17 minutes, and go out in time to win both races

They are 14 points ahead of Vince BRUN and Mike DORGAN (both San Diego, Calif.), who continued their move up the overall standings after posting finishes of 5-3 ysterday. Just one point back, also moving up one spot – from fourth to third overall -are George SZABO (San Diego, Calif.) and Mark STRUBE (Miami, Fla.) after finishes of 4-2 today.

Eric DOYLE (San Diego, Calif.) lost crew Brian SHARP (Norwalk, Conn./Franklin, Mass.) overboard during the second race and dropped two spots in the overall scoring – down to fifth – after placing 10-12 today. They have 34 points thus far for the series. Following four points back, in fifth overall, are John MACCAUSLAND (Cherry Hill, N.J.) and Brad NICHOL (Sunapee, N.H.) who finished 15-5.

Today is a mandatory layday. Racing resumes on Thursday, when the Race Committee will attempt to run three races. For bios and full results visit the event website at the address below.

Overall Top Ten