470 Worlds - Kiwis off to an indifferent start on Day 1 in Israel

by Sail-World.com on 13 Oct 2015 After the first day of racing in the 470 Worlds, NZL Sailing team crews lie in seventh and 15th overall.

The Womens crews sailed two races on the first day of the regatta with the men completing three races.

Two New Zealand crews are competing in the regatta which is being sailed in Haifa, Israel.

The Mens fleet was dominated by defending World Champions Matt Belcher and Will Ryan who are looking to take their third successive world championship in the Olympic two-handed class. The Australian crew started in fine style taking three wins from three races.

Jo Aleh and Polly Powrie (Team Jolly) are lying seventh overall in the women’s fleet, Paul Snow-Hansen and Daniel Willcox (Willcox/Snow-Hansen Sailing) are lying 15th.

Team Jolly report; “First day of the 470 World Champs completed, one solid race (a second) and one shocker.” [a 17th]

“Great rides downwind, including one rather impressive nose dive which resulted in a lot of water sloshing around the boat - we can just say we got a bit hot and so we decided we should carry a pool around with us to keep our feet cool.”

“But anyway, lovely sailing conditions, slightly tricky breeze at times and we got on the wrong side of a few shifts, so not our smartest day. But great fun nonetheless, and we’re looking forward to another two races tomorrow!”

Paul Snow-Hansen and Dan Willcox say they have had a 'solid start to our World's here in Israel with a ninth, fourth and 10th. This leaves us in 15th but close to the top on points.

'Great conditions, 10-15 knots and nice waves for the down wind. We sailed well around the course, catching up on the last race from the back end up to a good counter. The rest of the week will be lighter and hot!'

The regatta is currently in its qualifying stage with the Mens fleet being split into two - a Blue and Yellow fleet, with the scores being aggregated in the overall scaore, before they are split into Gold and Silver fleets later in the regatta.

New Zealand have qualified for the 2016 Olympics in both the Mens and Womens fleet on the basis of their performances at the 2014 ISAF Sailing World Championships in Santander, Spain.