Banks Esperanza, skippered by Ian Mayers, and Impulse, with Neil Burke at the helm, created big waves in ocean racing yesterday and moved in line for semi-final places in the United Insurance J24 Match-Racing Cup which concludes today in Carlisle Bay.
In preliminary races yesterday in Carlisle Bay, Esperanza and Impulse produced commanding performances, while 2011 champions HawkEye, skippered by Robert Povey, were equally impressive as they enjoyed good conditions and finished the day with five wins each, from their seven races.
Three more preliminary races are to be contested this morning before the top four move on to the semi-finals and then the final sail-off in the afternoon.
Esperanza have continued their good form for 2013 while Impulse are showing a resurgence and seeking to close the year with a major win.
Williams Industries HawkEye, who finished second in the Cup last year and have already been declared the top J24 team of 2013, are the favourites to lift the Cup this year.
Completing the first day with three wins and four losses were – ISIS (skippered by Nicholas Lashley) and Maximum (skippered by Paul Johnson). Glory Daze (skippered by Gus Reader) notched two wins in the event where 2012 champions, Team JCB of St Lucia are not defending the title.
Following an intriguing day of racing yesterday, where shifty winds ranged between ten and 14 knots, president of the J24-Club of Barbados, Gregory Webster, also the owner of ISIS, said they were anticipating highly competitive semi-final and final races today.
Crews are competing over an Olympic course in Carlisle Bay and the pressure will be on to upstage rivals and make the last four.
The United Match Racing Cup is organised by the J24 Club of Barbados and is the final event on the club’s calendar. It is sponsored by United Insurance, a leading insurer in the Caribbean with operations in 13 regional territories and a supporter of regional yachting events such as the Grenada Sailing Festival and the Bequia Easter Regatta. (BA/PR)
