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Outstanding results for NZ sailors in three Olympic Class Worlds

by Kristine Lederis, Yachting NZ on 11 May 2012
Andrew Maloney - Laser World Championship 2012 Johannes Berg



Star class keelboat sailors, Hamish Pepper and Jim Turner, won their race and secured the country’s qualification spot for the Olympic Games, and the 49er men climbed up the leader board to second overall.

This podium finish is a personal best for Andy, and comes just two weeks after a silver medal performance at the ISAF World Cup regatta Semaine Olympique Francaise, and five months after his previous personal best of a 13th place at the 2011 ISAF Sailing World Championships.

Sam Meech, who like Andy Maloney is just 21 years old, finished well in 17th and this is his best result so far at the Open World Championships. Sam won the 2011 Laser Junior Worlds and is certainly one to watch in the future.

Andrew Murdoch, New Zealand’s 2008 and 2012 Olympic representative in the Laser class, also finished on a high note by winning the last race. He finished the 2011 ISAF Sailing World Championships, sailed in Dedcember 2011, with a bronze medal.

Australia’s Tom Slingsby won this World Championship regatta for the fifth time.

Final Results Laser World Championships

3rd - Andy Maloney
17th - Sam Meech
25th - Andrew Murdoch
86th - Thomas Saunders
101st - Michael Cate

Hamish Pepper and Jim Turner also won their race today, and with this they have locked in the country’s qualification in this class at the 2012 Olympic Games. Just one race remains tomorrow at the 2012 Star World Championships in Hyeres, France, and Hamish and Jim will go into it sixth overall, but just five points off the podium.

Peter Burling and Blair Tuke had another strong day at the 49er World Championships in Hyeres, they have progressed up the leader board to now sit second overall behind reigning World Champions Nathan Outteridge and Iain Jensen. Peter and Blair finished silver at the 2011 ISAF Sailing World Championship and are aiming to podium again this year.

Marcus Hansen and Josh Porebski, Peter and Blair’s training partners who are both just 19 years, old are also in fine form, currently 12th. One more full day of racing continues tomorrow before the medal race on Saturday night (NZT).

May 11th Current Standings
Star World Championships
6th - Hamish Pepper and Jim Turner

49er World Championships
2nd - Peter Burling and Blair Tuke
12th - Marcus Hansen and Josh Porebski

Most other remaining Olympic representatives will be starting their World Championship run later in the week, with the Finns starting at Falmouth and 470’s in Barcelona on May 13th, and the Laser Radial last to start on May 15th.

The RS:X World Championships were sailed in March, and JP Tobin won with a Bronze medal.

World Championship Schedule

2012 Laser World Championships
Venue: Boltenhagen, Germany
Racing Starts: May 4th
Final Races: May 10th
Representing New Zealand: Andrew Murdoch, Sam Meech, Andy Maloney, Michael Cate, Thomas Saunders
Regatta Website: www.laserworldchampionship.com

2012 Star World Championships
Venue: Hyeres, France
Racing Starts: May 5th
Final Races: May 11th
Representing New Zealand: Hamish Pepper/ Jim Turner
Regatta Website: www.starworlds2012.com

2012 49er World Championships
Venue: Zadar, Croatia
Racing Starts: May 7th
Final Races: May 12th
Representing New Zealand: Peter Burling/Blair Tuke, Marcus Hansen/Josh Porebski
Regatta Website: www.49erworlds.org

2012 Finn World Championships
Venue: Falmouth, England
Racing Starts: May 13th
Final Races: May 18th
Representing New Zealand: Dan Slater, Matt Coutts, Rob Coutts
Regatta Website: www.falmouthfinnfestival.com

2012 470 World Championships
Venue: Barcelona, Spain
Racing Starts: May 13th
Final Races: May 19th
Representing New Zealand: Jo Aleh/ Olivia (Polly) Powrie, Paul Snow Hansen/Jason Saunders
Regatta Website: http://worlds.470.org

2012 Radial World Championships
Venue: Boltenhagen, Germany
Racing Starts: May 15th
Final Races: May 20th
Representing New Zealand: Sara Winther
Regatta Website: www.laserworldchampionship.com/
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