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| Alfa Romeo races clear in Sydney race • Alfa Romero opens up 10-mile lead in Bass Strait• Weather expert Roger Badham warns of pitfalls ahead Conditions in the 628-mile Sydney to Hobart race have been unusually benign this year, but five retirements before the halfway stage paint a different picture. Of the 95 yachts left racing, the three leaders are halfway across Bass Strait. Neville Crichton's 100ft Alfa Romeo had a 10-mile lead from Mike Slade's ICAP Leopard, while Bob Oatley's Wild Oats XI – four times the first to Hobart – is a further five miles behind.Yet Roger "Clouds" Badham, the racing sailor's meteorologist of choice, has predicted that with 250 miles to go the race is far from decided."The big guys will have some running in Bass Strait this afternoon, but there are still a lot of potholes between that and the finish," Badham said early today: "Anyone of the three could finish first." Slade, however, conceded that Alfa Romeo may have opened a winning lead in the race to be first to Hobart and rob him of the unique treble he seeks; to add honours in this race to Leopard's victories in the Fastnet and Middle Sea races. He said Alfa Romeo's crucial break was around 9am on the second day when, after hours of frustratingly light winds, the New Zealand boat found better breeze."We were all just splashing about, there was no breeze whatsoever, and it's always the case that someone will get that little extra puff," Slade said. "Alfa Romeo was in the right place to get it. We didn't get it. Wild Oats XI didn't get it, and Alfa put 10 miles on us both very quickly."Niklas Zennstrom's 72ft Ran, the early handicap leader, was still near the top of the predicted corrected-time leaders and, with the extra breeze of the second day, could easily repeat her 2009 Fastnet success.Adrian Stead, Ran's tactician, said: "We are just past Green Cape and the breeze is filling back in. We have done OK with the current but had a light morning. It's nice to still see the maxis, but we are conscious of boats behind using the sea breeze this afternoon."SailingBob Fisherguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2009 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Saban not counting on 'Bama repeat just yet NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. (AP) -- Nick Saban cracked a few jokes and even some smiles, deadpanning about the players' poor execution of his celebratory Gatorade bath. And it didn't take long for him to start looking ahead to the challenges Alabama faces.... hosted.ap.org |
Jaguars kick of tickets sales drive for critical 2010 season The Jacksonville Jaguars are entering a critical season-ticket renewal period that may ultimately determine the fate of the team, and the sense is growing that if everything doesn’t come together for the 2010 season, it will be game over. feeds.bizjournals.com |
Everton keen on loan move for Arsenal's Philippe Senderos Everton have resurrected their interest in Philippe Senderos, six months after they pulled out of a deal to sign the Arsenal and Switzerland defender. feeds.timesonline.co.uk |
Hockey player to appeal suspension for elbowing TORONTO (AP) -- Devils draft pick Patrice Cormier will appeal his suspension for the remainder of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League season and playoffs for a violent hit on an opposing player.... hosted.ap.org |