Day 1 - Sunday, July 24, 2011

The International Lightning Class Association World Championship kicked off today with two fantastic races. The Iate Clube Armacao Buzios - ICAB continued to host a beautiful day of sailing with winds ranging from 14-16 kts the first race and droping to 9-12 kts during the second race. 30 boats representing 8 Countries took to the line. As with the South Americans and International Masters' Championships held last week, we again had an anxious group that forced a general recall on the first start of the day. The "Z" Flag was hoisted and with the second try they were off.

Racing was tight and consistency was the key to the day. The Chilian Team of Felipe Robles, Pablo Lorca and Andres Guevara finished with a 5, 1 to win the tie for first over the another Chilian Team and last weeks South American Champions, Tito Gonzalez Mas his son Diego Gonzalez Parro and Christian Herman Sanhueza who had a pair of 3's today. Tied for third is the Brazilian Team and last weeks International Masters' Champion team of Claus Biekarck, Gunner Ficker and Marcelo Batista da Silva finishing with a 6, 4. The USA Team of Will Brown, John Faus and Matty Schon also finished the day witha 4, 6 totaling 10 points.

Currently in 5th position is the USA team of Tom Allen Jr, sailing with his son Karl and Steve Davis. They finished the day with a 10, 2. They are followed closely behind by The USA Team, Ryan Ruhlman, Martha Fisher and Nick Turney and the Chilian Team of Cristobal Perez, Philipp Goyeneche and Ignacio Perez both finishing the day with a total of 13 points each.

David Starck sailing wih his wife Jody Starck and Ian Jones from the USA won the first race, but were called over in the second race and climbed back to 14th to finish the day with 15 points and an 8th position. Two races are scheduled for tomorrow and the warning has been moved up to 11 am (10 am EST). Follow live text coverage at www.lightningclass.org.

The events have been made possible by support and grants received by the following sponsors:

• Brazilian Sailing Federation – CBVM sponsored by Bradesco Bank, CPFL, Travel Ace and Tamoyo.
• Rio de Janeiro Sailing Federation – FEVERJ
• City of Búzios Sports and Tourism Secretary’s
• Segurigraff HG – High Security Holograms
• Sercon Ltda. A Steris Company
• Saturno Tintas
• Glassit Fiberglass
• Bombril
• Niagara Industrial
• Cerveja Germânia

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP - RESULTS DAY 1

Bow # 28 Chilians, Felipe Robles, Pablo Lorca, Andres Guevara - Leading Day 1, Photo by Thomas Jansen

Bow # 11 Chilians, Tito Gonzalez, Diego Gonzalez and Cristian Herman - currently 2nd place. Photo by Joel Auerbach

15333 - Brazilians, Claus Biekarck, Gunner Ficker, Marcelo Bastista da Silva- 3rd place - Photo by Nelson Veiga - Chopp Germania

Bow #31, USA Team of Will Brown, John Faus, Matty Schon - Currently 4th Place - Photo by Thomas Jansen