NZL Sailing Team- RS-X drops in big breeze; Tuke looks to Europeans

by NZL Sailing Team on 4 Jul 2014
Day 3 of racing at the RS:X European Champs in Cesme didn’t go as Natalia Kosinska would have hoped and she has slipped to 11th in the standings (placing 23, 19, DNC). But with two days to go there’s time to improve.

Coach Dave Robertson says; 'Unfortunately today went from bad to worse for Natalia. She was starting well but lacked some speed in the +20 knots and big waves. One of 'those days'. To top it off she was forced to retire after the start of race three due to a crash on the startline.'

'We will make a few changes tomorrow in an attempt for more speed with conditions looking similar.'

Young Tauranga sailor, Alex Hart, competing the men’s youth division had a god day; 'Alex smashed the silver fleet today with two convincing race wins in the youth which was very cool.'

49er and 49erFX:
Blair Tuke is in Helsinki with Peter Burling, and the rest of the kiwi 49er and FX contingent gearing up for the European Champs. He tells us;

'Helsinki is pretty far north so although it is summer time it is still pretty cold here. 17 degrees today and the water temperature is about 15 degrees. Normally you would expect light winds but this week so far there is plenty of breeze. We trained in 18knots today.'

'All the top teams from around the world are here so we are looking forward to the challenge of trying to defend our title.'

'It always takes a little bit of time to get back into the 49er, get the intuition between each other going again but today it felt good. Luckily it’s only a short trip from St. Petersburg so we are fresh and ready to go.'