Macky in sail-off for spot at Athens Games

by New Zealand Herald on 21 Sep 2003 Europe sailor Sarah Macky has qualified New Zealand for next year's Olympic Games, finishing sixth at the world championships in Spain yesterday.

The Europe is the fourth class to qualify for the Olympics, with the men's and women's Mistral, and men's 470.

Macky finished just outside the individual nomination criteria (fifth or better), meaning a trial will be held in Auckland in January to determine who will take up the spot at Athens.
‘It was a bit frustrating because I missed the individual qualification by less than three seconds,’ Macky said.

Promising sailors such as Jo Aleh, Kate O'Brien and Sarah's sister Jane, who are all under 20, have the opportunity to contest for the spot.
While the boardsailors enjoyed a day off, racing continued for a number of the other classes yesterday.

The Tornados, 470 men and women and Laser classes all had their first races in Cadiz. Robbie McMillan, of Wellington, is the top-placed New Zealander in the Laser, in 14th place, after finishing second in the second race.

Andrew Murdoch, from Kerikeri, is only one point behind him in 15th place.

The final three days of racing for the Mistral men and women start today.

Jon-Paul Tobin and Barbara Kendall are both fourth overall in their respective fleets, and will be aiming for a top-five result to gain the New Zealand Olympic nomination.

Sharon Ferris and her crew are in 20th place in the Yngling.

Europe (after 11 races, 116 entries): Sarah Macky 9th (17, 3), Kate O'Brien 57th (OCS, 38).

Mistral, men (after 6 races, 116 entries): Jon-Paul Tobin 4th (2, 17), Tom Ashley 28th (14, 1), James Wells 37th (7, 18), Matthew McCormick 64th (39, 36).
Mistral Women (after 6 races, 60 entries): Barbara Kendall 4th (11, 9), Julie Worth 29th (31, 23), Sheena McKinnon 34th (12, 46), Anita Purdie 53rd (52, 52).

Yngling (after 8 races, 41 entries): Sharon Ferris/Joanna White/Sara Winther 20th (23, 6), Alesha Thorpe/Michelle Vinsen/Karen Lambert 22nd (19, RAF).

Star (after 6 races, 82 entries): Rohan Lord/Andrew Taylor 51st (22).