BEN BOB LASER SHOW RACE FOR GOLD
by Ian Grant on 26 Sep 2000
Katrina Butler
Robert Scheidt the only sailor in history to win four World Laser championships is in a desperate fight to defend the Gold Medal he cleverly won in Savannah four years ago.
Scheidt well recognised for his skill and ability to master all sailing conditions struggled to finish 21st in the only race decided in squally winds and rain on Sydney Harbour today.
The highly skilled helmsman has surprisingly finished with two below 20 places which is unusual when the stakes are so high.
Ben Ainslie of England is poised to provide the champion with a real tactical headache as the two best Laser class helmsmen distanced themselves from the balance of the fleet in the race for the Gold Medal.
Sheidt finished in front of Ainslie to win in Atlanta while Ainslie has the control of the title battle which has entered an interesting stage on the tricky waters in Sydney.
Ainslie who held a comfortable lead this morning has consolidated his margin by beating Scheidt by another 10 places in the only race decided today.
The heat cleverly won by Diego Negri of Italy from John Myrdal (USA) and Mate Arapov (CRO) has allowed the Italian to improve his overall placing to fifth with Mydral climbing to 17th and Arapov to 20th.
RESULTS RACE 7 (Provisional): ITA 1, USA 2, CRO 3, THA 4, RSA 5, ESP 6, DEN 7, NZL 8, SWE 9, MLT 10.
PROGRESSIVE POINTS (Provisional) One Drop. GBR (24) 1, BRA (38) 2, POR (45) 3, AUS (47) 4, AUT (56) 5, RSA (58) 6, ITA (61) 7, SWE (63) 8, NED (66) 9, NOR (69) 10.
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