Not the Bahama seabreeze but again light winds prevailed during the Final races yesterday, The highlight event of the Star Sailor's League year was nevertheless full of exciting position fights especially in the knock-out final races. Suprises already in the Quarter Final, where ir was not only the end of the stunning performance of Schümann/Borkowski GER but also the out for the favorites Negri/Lambertenghi ITA and Kusznierewicz/Zycki POL. In the final of the best four, Hamish Pepper NZL/Bruno Prada BRA had the lead until the final downwind, when George Szabo USA/Edoardo Natucci ITA passed by to grasp the victory with the US$ 40'000 prize money. The best qualifiers Xavier Rohart/Pierre-Alexis Ponsot FRA finished 3rd, Johannes Polgar/Markus Koy GER 4th.
The results and the news. Yesterday's races can be reviewed commented in total by video replay. Worthwhile having a look, if you had no time to see the races during the week.

The weathermen were wrong, as not the announced seabreeze, but a flucky circling wind full of calm zones prevailed and the last two Qualification Series' races of the Star Sailors' League on the Bahamas had to be cancelled. The best 11 after 7 heats continue with the Final Series in a Quarter and a Semi Finals in a knockout system, followed by the Final of the best four to determine the 2015 League Champion taking the US$ 40'000 prize money.
Xavier Rohart/Pierre-Alexis Ponsot FRA left a convincing impression in the light wind races so far. They were the only ones winning two races. As leaders after the Qualifiers, they are already set for the Semi Finals. while the ranks 2-11 sail the Quarter Final race where the best 6 for the Semi Final are selected. 4 of the 7 teams in the Semi will qualify for the Final.
The invited non-Star sailors were partly convincing, above all the two-times Soling Olympic Champion Jochen Schümann/Ingo Borowski GER on rank 4, but also the Laser cracks Jean-Baptiste Bernaz FRA (rank 6) and Tonci Stipanovic CRO (rank 9). Finishing 10th, the Match-Race World Champion Ian Williams GBR has reached his first goal, and it will be interested to follow, whether his matchracing skills will be of an advantage in the smaller fleets. However, should a stronger breeze fill in, it might become difficult for the non-Star-sailors to handle the technically and physicsally challenge boat.
The results, the daily report and the video of the day. Find also a [ILK=688]report[/ILK] from our reporter on site.
The crucial finals will be brought to you as from 16 hrs UTC in commented live streaming on this website.

Light winds around 6 kn prevailed also on the second day of the Star Sailors League Final in Nassau on the Bahamas and three races, as always in the Star Class, very disputed, were completed. The leaders Xavier Rohart/Pierre-Alexis Ponsot FRA extended their overall lead on 6 points, despite of a messed first race (individual recall) finishing 1 and 3 in the remaining heats. Diego Negri/Sergio Lambertenghi ITA remain 2nd, new on rank 3 are Mateusz Kusznierewicz/Domink Zycki POL. Team of the day were Jochen Schümann/Ingo Borowski GER advancing on 4th overall with the day ranks 5/6/1.
Today, two more races are on the program to conclude the Qualification Series, probably in a normal 15 kn seabreeze, provided the weathermen are correct. The cut for the Final Series of tomorrow Saturday is rank 11. In addition to experienced Starboat teams, some invited non-Starists have a chance to make the cut. While the Laser Olympian Jean-Baptiste Bernaz FRA on rank 7 with his coach and Star Olympic Medalist Pascal Rambeau FRA as crew has a 20 points' cushion on rank 11 and seems to be on the safe side, there are 6 teams from rank 8 (Cayard/Sharp) to rank 13 (Diaz/Baltin), among them Laser sailor Tonci Stipanovic/Massimo Canali ITA (rank 9) and the Match-Race World Champion Ian Williams GBR with Steve Mitchell GBR (rank 10), fighting for 3 Final places. The ranking list, the daily news and the video of the day.
Today's races will again be presented in commented live stream on this website as from 16 hrs UTC.