Finn Day 5: Netherlands sailor Pieter-Jan Potsma heads a talented fleet
Racing in the Yellow fleet, Scott was followed closely for most of the day in the 18-20 knots sea breeze by Pieter-Jan Potsma (NED), who managed to edge him in the fifth race.
On not winning three straight, Scott said: “It could have happened, but I was just a bit silly. I chose the wrong gate. After I made the mistake, I was lucky to finish second. The mistake was a bit stupid."
“The wind was a lot further left. We haven’t seen that so I was a bit cautious that it didn’t flick back right. I stayed left but Potsma slipped by.”
On racing three times in the afternoon to make up for Tuesday’s lost day’s racing, Scott said: “I’m exhausted but glad I had a good day. I was frustrated with the first day so it was good to put a bit of pressure on (the other sailors).”
His efforts saw him advance from fourth to second in the overall rankings.
After discarding his worst result, Postma took the overall lead by a point ahead of Giles Scott (GBR), with Ben Ainslie (GBR) one point further behind.
Potsma said: “Two, two, one is not bad. The day before was also good. The first race was a bit of rubbish but the rest of the race was good.
“Top speed was great, and I had great strategy but Giles (Scott) was one, one, two.
“Racing was really tight between us, with only a few metres. It was really close. Giles had the same speed but made different choices and better strategy.”
Ben Ainslie (GBR) drops to third from first in the overall rankings, collecting nine points for the day.
Disqualifications dominated the first Blue fleet race of the day, with 11 contestants receiving Black Flag Disqualifications (BFD). They included world number one Ed Wright (GBR), day-one winner Rafael Trujillo (ESP) and Olympic silver medallist Zach Railey (USA).
Four sailors in the Yellow fleet’s third race were also disqualified for the same reason.
Ivan Kljakovic Gaspic (CRO) said: “It was a bit messy out there. The waves were annoying, the race committee guys who weren’t able to anchor boats at the starting line.
“The start was pretty difficult for everybody. I was a little over and it was my mistake.”
Wright shrugged off the black-flagging.
“I only look to the future. It’s good to see all the training come together. It was nice and fast. It was pretty good today and I’m pretty happy.”
The mass disqualifications gave Jonathan Lobert (FRA) his only win so far in the competition. Trujillo also put his earlier penalty behind him, placing well for the rest of the day.
Racing in the Finn class is scheduled to continue Thursday at 1400 Perth time.