ENGLISH SKIPPER FIRMS GRIP ON GOLD
by Ian Grant on 28 Sep 2000
Katrina Butler
Three times English Europe class sailing Olympian Shirley Robertson has firmed her grip on the Gold Medal after another consistent performance on Sydney Harbour today.
The 32 year old Robertson proud of being the oldest competitor in the 27 Nation fleet realised the benefit of sailing a conservative mistake free race to improve her fleet placing as the race progressed.
She was back in the pack when the Australian skipper Jessica Crisp revelling in the moderate 15-18 knot North East breeze led the fleet around the first five marks.
As expected the racing for heat honours held in the balance when the first 12 dinghies rounded the final mark in 58 seconds.
Robertson became engaged in a duel with the Atlanta Silver Medallist Margriet Matthijsse (NED) and Crisp on the final leg to the finish where the stronger and faster Matthijsse using wind and wave to best advantage claimed a narrow 14 second win over Robertson with Crisp another 2 seconds away third.
This was an important result for Robertson who has edged clear on the pointscore to hold an 11 point lead over Serena Amato (ARG) while Matthijsse sailed back into medal contention with her gutsy win.
RESULTS Progressive Points 1 race dropped. GBR 34pts 1, ARG 45pts 2, NED 56pts 3, ESP 56pts 4, DEN 65pts 5, BEL 66pts 6, FIN 69pts 7, ITA 73pts 8, NZL 76pts 9, CZE 78pts 10.
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