Rio 2016 Olympics, Nacra 17 Day 4

Perfect shots from Matias Capizzano / www.capizzano.com  & Sailing Energy / Sailingenergy.com from Day 3 we didn´t published, still waiting for his & sailing Energy Nacra 17 ones from Sunday.   Check Matias portfolio Here , Sailing Energy here –

Update: ESP has requested to re open a protest  against ITA, will be reviewed in this afternoon. This only will affect ITA as ESP would remain out of the Medal. More info later.
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Super tight racing for the Nacra 17 crown today at Rio. Every race changed the overall positions in a big way, so no one had granted a spot, not even in the overall top ten and chance to race the Medal. For many it was decided in last race, but in the top 6 leaders from yesterday all kept their drive but GBR who sadly got their worst day series and were relegated to 8th overall.

AUS Jason & Lisa were in first overall before the day started, to confirm their intentions they won the first race with style, it was more than a bullet at the moment for them, as ARG were BFD ,and ITA finished second behidn them.

We all thought disaster for Santi & Ceci but looking forward for the following two.
In reply to the bfd and our own poor mortals faith, Lange-Carranza compensated in the next one with a second behind  SUI Buhler-Brugger,  AUS rebounding to 12th and ITA resguarding an excellent average with a 7th.

After this, Top 5 five got all inside a small gap again before the last race of the day, it was nr 12 which was closing the series ahead of the Medal Race.
From the start the Argentinians were well positioned, and didn´t pushed this time for doubtful start, they were fast and slowly building presence to dominate the first upwind , it was a perfect surgeon’s work from Lange when it was needed the most. Who else was going to deliver that performance in the peak moment of pressure? ‘Cruising’ mode for the 55 yrs old sailor as we envisioned on Friday.

Total control of the fleet from there on an incredible display of self reliance under pressure after the bfd for both sailors, with Ceci Carranza becoming an expert multihull crew in so little time coming from an Olympic Laser campaign. Talk about crewing for this guy in an Olympic regatta?
Way to go Ceci!
We’ve seen some many imploding in those circumstances over the years so I was simply in awe of what we were witnessing through the live track.

Vittorio & Silvia had their own show while Aus was rarely crumbling down in last place, ITA were able to race like if they also had many Olympic games behind, defending a key 4th position from Besson and others to finish second overall. They also won a protest later fired up by ESP, check details here.
Echavarri couldn´t follow the path of his former Tornado mate, finishing the series in 11th place.

The Austrian crew, Thomas Zajac & Tanja Franck , who saw plenty of consistent performance last years also stayed calm placing 10,4 & 5 for a third overall.
Waterhouse & Darmanin had their worst race in the worst possible moment, but the Aussies can easily won the Medal as shown during the week so nothing at all is defined yet.

Even Billy & Marie (3,11 &7) are in the medal zone! Amazing how the fight against all odds on Besson broken back to put themselves is such deserved position for the final decisive race. Praised them the whole week, and hat off again for them.

Nobody can count any medal beforehand, as Del Potro could today against Murray, great 4 hours match, with Murray in the zone coming from a second Wimbledon to a second consecutive gold against an almost retired player. Proud to have guys like him , Santi & Ceci representing us, the same of Julito Alsogaray in Laser, Facu Olezza in Finn and the entire Arg sailing team.

The Nacra 17 Medal Race will be again a nervous breaking atmosphere, hope we can watch it live…
All fans should be proud for the entire Nacra 17 fleet, all going forward in a super close competition which will be defined on Tuesday afternoon.

Results links below – Pics later when available.
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Sunday morning: Jason & Lisa fb page have confirmed  Nacra 17 races 11 & 12 will be transmitted Live on the Sailing channel. For those here in Arg watch through Espn Play & Tycsports Play.

– Live Tracking links for pc & mobile, Day 3 rankings and pics in previous post , results links also always available below main site banner.
– Also follow updates in our Twitter Account: https://twitter.com/catsailingnews

Update: Another incredible day of racing for the Nacra 17 Class, report & pics later. Grand Master Lange & Ceci Carranza leading to the Medal followed by Vitto & Silvia, 3rd overall Zajac & Franck.
Now continue our Arg standard suffering with Del Potro – Murray for the Gold!

Full results below & rio2016.com/en/sailing-standings-sa-nacra-17-mixed#
All races progression in Twitter. Overal ater 12 Races , with Medal Race left: