The all-British owned, sponsored and crewed Team Basilica kept itself in contention to take the overall VX40 series title after the fourth day of the Rotterdam Grand Prix yesterday, by registering a third and a second place from the day's two races.
Despite conceding one point on the day to closest rivals and series leaders Tommy Hilfiger, Basilica goes into the final day today knowing that they need to make up only nine points on the American boat to take the overall title.
After stronger winds the previous day, the light airs returned to the Maas in Rotterdam, making sailing conditions extremely difficult and the racing slow going. The inconsistent breeze saw the five teams swap places frequently in race one, with Basilica eventually finishing in third behind Motorola and Holmatro and Hilfiger trailing in fourth.
After several false starts caused by the extremely light airs, race two eventually got underway with Hilfiger leading from start to finish to take the win from Basilica in second, to extend its lead from the British boat to eight points in Rotterdam. The result of the second race, however, is pending a protest between Hilfiger and Motorola which could have a decisive impact on the series. The protest will be heard this morning.
Only eight points now separate Tommy Hilfiger in first and Basilica in second, and if either team wins the Rotterdam Grand Prix tody they will take the overall series title.
Results (after day three)
1. Tommy Hilfiger - 100 points
2. Basilica - 92 points
3. Motorola-CHR - 91 points
4. Holmatro - 81 points
5. Volvo Ocean Race - 64 points
Overall Standings
1. Tommy Hilfiger - 32 points
2. Basilica - 30 points
3. Motorola-CHR - 26 points
4. Holmatro - 24 points
5. Volvo Ocean Race - 20 points
Press report/Yachting World, 14 June 2006
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