Heartbreaker Evens The Score

Toronto, Canada - Day 3 of the Canada's Cup proved to be the most exciting
day of the regatta,, especially for the Hearbreaker Sailing Team.  Defiant
started the day with 3-1 lead and looked like they were going to retain the
Canada's Cup.  But the Heartbreaker team had different plans.

The conditions for Day 3 began with 13-17 knot fluctuating winds and 1-2
foot waves.  The wind dierction was 295 degrees.  It was partly cloudy and a
little chilly.  The spectator fleet was 12 boats strong.

The first race of the regatta was postponed briefly while the race committee
struggled to set the pin.  Once set Heartbreaker started on the starboard
side and Defiant on port.  The start included a lot of circling and a late
start by both teams as they dialed up briefly before the start.  
Heartbreaker was on Defiant's hip but was able to tack and go right.  
Defiant followed but wasn't able to keep up with Heartbreaker's speed and
was forced to tack away.

Heartbreaker lead at the first mark by 30 seconds.  Defiant rounded and
didn't hoist their spinnaker until 6-8 boatlengths after the mark.  By the
third mark Heartbreaker had a 37 second lead as the wind increased to 17-18
knots and 1-3 foot waves.  Heartbreaker increased their lead at every mark
and won the first race by 1 minute 19 seconds.

Defiant had a green flag up at the finish and requested more time in between
races to fix a broken halyard.  After a brief delay Defiant asked to have a
doctor come onboard and examine bowman Ian Smith.  Smith would eventually be
taken off the boat with a bad back.  Al Megarry would move forward and
replace Smith on the bow.  Another person was then brought on Defiant to
fill out the team.

Race two for the day was started in 17-18 knot conditions similiar to the
end of race 5.  The race would include three separate dial ups.  
Heartbreaker would eventually start on the right side of the line with
windward advantage.  Defiant tried to push Heartbreaker over the line but
they were unsuccessful.  Both boats would tack on to port shortly after the
start.  Defiant was forced to tack back left due to bad air.  Heartbreaker
would continue to the right side of the course and what appeared to be more
pressure.  This seemed to be true as Heartbreaker would lead by 29 seconds
at the first mark.  A course change was made here to 100 degrees for the
second mark.

Heartbreaker was able to keep things conservative the rest of the way and
extended their lead.  Heartbreaker had a 1 minute 30 second lead at the last
mark.  Both boats would have prefect sets here in front of the 15 spectator
boats watching on.  The final delta would be 1 minute 51 seconds and evened
the score at three wins apiece.  Stay tuned into www.canadascup.org for more
information from the action in Toronto.

Ed Furry
www.Sailhead.com