Weir wins final race but Blanck wins series

by Di Pearson on 18 Jan 2004 Krystal Weir (AUS) stepped into a Europe single handed dinghy for the first time three weeks ago, her sights set on an Olympic campaign in 2008.

Today she won her second race of the Olympic & Invited Classes series at the Sail Melbourne Regatta to finish the second overall from Sarah Blanck (AUS) – both are from Victoria.

Weir, who turned 19 just a few days ago, commented this afternoon, ‘I am still sailing my Laser Radial, so that is still on my mind. I am quite excited about my win today – I’m glad I didn’t see Sarah capsize, otherwise I might have gone in too. I just have to stay focussed now, I have a lot to learn, although the Europe feels quite similar to the Laser Radial to sail.’

Sarah Blanck (AUS), had the lead as they worked their way to the windward mark for the first time on Port Phillip Bay this afternoon, however, Weir rounded first and in the increasingly gusty and building wins, Blanck capsized twice, leaving her fourth overall in the final Race 11, behind Weir, Verena Wagner (AUT) and Maiko Sato (JPN).

As Sail Melbourne was the final Australian selection series for those Olympic classes racing at the Olympic & Invited Classes regatta, Blanck looks certain to represent at the Sydney 2004 Games.

For full information, results and photos go to: www.sailmelbourne.com.au