London Olympics 2012- 470 Women - New Zealanders take charge

by ISAF on 8 Aug 2012 London Olympics 2012 Sailing competition, Weymouth - 470 Women's class.

New Zealanders Jo Aleh and Olivia Powrie secured two bullets today in the Women's 470 to hold the overall lead on 21 points.

The wind may have been lighter than we have been used to seeing at the London 2012 Olympic Sailing competition so far, at just 10 knots, but that didn't stop the Kiwi team from keeping the pressure on and leading the fleet in both races. They almost made it look easy in the second race by sailing the last four marks 350m ahead of the rest of the fleet.

The double victory sees them go four points clear of current 470 World Champions, Hannah Mills and Saskia Clark (GBR), a lead which they will no doubt be looking to extend as they prepare for races 9 and 10 tomorrow. It's still all to play for though as Lisa Westerhof and Lobke Berkhout (NED) are just three points behind Mills and Clark and seven points behind the Kiwis.

Unlike some of the other classes being sailed, the Women's 470 is likely to see all medal places fiercely fought during the Medal Race on Friday 10 August. Right now, the girls will be looking to come out fighting tomorrow and ensure that they get some good results in races 9 and 10 to take them into the Medal Race with the best advantage ahead of their competitors.

Top Five

1. Jo Aleh and Olivia Powrie (NZL) - 21pts
2. Hannah Mills and Saskia Clark (GBR) - 25pts
3. Lisa Westerhof and Lobke Berkhout (NED) - 28pts
4. Camille Lecointre and Mathilde Geron (FRA) - 47pts
5. Fernanda Oliveira and Ana Barbachan (BRA) - 53pts

Click here for full ISAF website