Day eight update

9 January 2005

The show is progressing at pace, the gybes are getting better and the timed runs quicker. Baker is still out in front as far as gybing and tactics go but the rest of the fleet is hot on his heels.

John Hibbard loops off the ramp. Yesterdays demo session at 2.30 saw an almost capacity crowd packed in to the arena to see the show. Baker, Dempsey, Skye, Audsley, Hibbard, Pearch, Cribb, Horrocks delighted the crowd with some fast and close slalom action and spinning freestyle. The crowd loved it and didn't seem to mind getting a spraying of water as the sailors exploded over the finish line.

Today sees the start of the qualifying for the main event on Thursday. Everybody is so close in every discipline it is going to be a battle to the bitter end.

All in all it's windier, faster and way more fun than last year. If you haven't booked a ticket yet then you better get on the case. West Block for a good aerial view and South Block if you want to be in the thick of it!

John Hibbard - K007