Brazil and Austria on top at 470, 49er and 49erFX North Americans
by ISAF on 24 Jan 2013
49er sailing action - 2013 470 And 49er, 49erFX North American Titles 49er Class Association
http://www.49er.org
The top of the leader boards at the 470, 49er and 49erFX North American Championships saw two Austrian crews take the 470 Men's and Women's title and two Brazilian crews pick up the skiff honours.
Held in advance of ISAF Sailing World Cup Miami, and sailed out of Coconut Grove Sailing Club, the teams got a taste of what's to come ahead of next week's 200-point regatta.
Light winds featured throughout the weekend but that didn't falter Austria's Matthias Schmid and Florian Reichstadter in the Men's 470 as they put in a dominate display, winning three of seven races ahead of America's Adam Roberts and Erik Storck.
Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games gold medallist Lara Vadlau, sailing with Solanta Goar (AUT), also impressed in the Women's 470, winning four of seven races.
With Brazilian spots in all classes guaranteed at the Rio 2016 Olympic Sailing Competition the fight is on to pick up one of the spots. Although early in the new quadrennial, Andre Fonseca, sailing with Francisco Andrada who represented Portugal at London 2012, boosted his confidence by taking the 49er North American title. Just one finish out of the top two in eight races ensured gold was a certainty. Benjamin Bildstein and David Hussl (AUT) picked up second spot with Sebastian Ostling and Kalle Torlen (SWE) in third.
Brazil's Martine Grael, making the switchover from the 470 to 49erFX, impressed on her first start in the boat. A string of seven top two finishes saw her pip the experienced Giulia Conti and Francesca Clapich (ITA) to the top podium spot. Canada's Erin Berry and Danielle Boyd finished third whilst the highest placed Americans were Kristen Lane and Molly
Full results here
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