RS-X World Championships Day 3 – Jessica Crisp best placed Australian

by Craig Heydon on 25 Mar 2012 RS:X World Championships day three is underway in Cadiz. Competitors have faced survival conditions today in Spain with Jessica Crisp the best placed Australian in 21st overall in the women’s fleet.

After day two of racing was abandoned due to the breeze howling at up to 40 knots one race was scheduled for each fleet on Saturday.

The outlook wasn’t ideal on Saturday morning with gusts again recorded at up to 40 knots but it moderated throughout the day, allowing the race committee to complete racing.

Crisp finished 13th in the day’s only race to leave her 21st overall, though competition is tight throughout the fleet with the triple-Olympian just 15 points outside the top 10 as finals racing begins on Sunday.

'Today’s race was all about survival,' said Crisp. 'The breeze was between 25 and 30 knots for our race making it quite tough.

'My speed is good, my height is good and now I just need to put a whole race together,' she said. 'I was off the pace in Perth last year but now I’m on the pace and going quick.'

By the time the men’s fleets went race the breeze had moderated to about 18 knots with Luke Baillie having the best day out of the three Australian men, finishing 27th to be 52nd overall.

Baillie’s finish ensured that he qualified for the gold fleet for the finals series.

Fellow Australian Jimmy Levy crossed the line 33rd to be 87th overall with Patrick Voss ending the day 94th after a 47th place finish.

Conditions are expected to be lighter on Sunday with three races scheduled for all fleets.

Full results are available here.
Australian Sailing Team website