Sail-World.com : Kiwis on the Cusp: 470 World Championship - Day 6
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Kiwis on the Cusp: 470 World Championship - Day 6 |
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'Carl Evans and Peter Burling - Day 5 2008 470 Worlds'
Christine Hansen
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All interest today is in the gold fleet positions for the two New Zealand crew. Both were on the cusp of the top ten, keeping in mind that the injured GBR crew would be awarded average points following racing today and probably join the elite few.
To finish in the top 10 would qualify the country and help put one of the crews in the running for the Olympic position for either Carl Evans and Peter Burling or Geoff Woolley and Mark Overington.
Today the wind has built steadily into a 15 to 18 knot wind which began in the south west and moved to the south east, the sea state is choppy with an overcast sky and a moderate to cool temperature.
After a disappointing day yesterday Peter and Carl battled valiantly for a place in the top 10 - they missed out by 1 point after a dramatic last race. During the first race they held a top fleet position throughout the race and finished 5th. During the second they rounded the bottom mark in 4th position only to become involved in an incident with the leading Portugese crew relegating them to 7th after having to do a turn, they then managed to pick off boats and get back into 2nd place. Luck was not on their side, however, as a spinnaker tangle then cost them two places and they dropped back to 4th and out of the medal fleet. These are amazing results for two 17 year olds who are competing after one year in the class.
Geoff Woolley and Mark Overington are in 14th place after two average placings today, obviously the crew is disappointed but it's still a very good result in a world championship where there is so much at stake for so many sailors and the competition is fierce.
The Portugese held their lead today, the Israeli's their second and the injured Great Britain crew have third place after receiving redress - there are only 3.10 points between them so it's not all over yet.
by Christine Hansen
10:15 AM Tue 29 Jan 2008 GMT
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