The German-Polish Karol Jablonski was able to maintain his outstanding form from last season over the winter. He won convincingly in the first Grade 1 match race after the America's Cup final in Marseille.
The two helmsmen of the French America's Cup team Le Défi Areva Philippe Presti (4th) and Luc Pillot (8th) were among the beaten world elite. In the final, Jablonski won against Francois Brenac, who had become ISAF World Champion in 2002 in the same place with the same boats (J-80). "It was difficult because the boats are sailed with gennakers," says Jablonski. "That is a change, especially tactically."
Jablonski hopes that the victory will provide new impetus for his Polish America's Cup project. "We have the full support of politicians, but the economic situation is simply very difficult. We still need sponsors." If things don't work out in Poland, he will try to get a foot in the door with another team.
