Aussies feature in the top three at Para World Sailing Championships

by Megan McKay on 25 May 2016 Australian crews feature in the top three after the first day of racing at the 2016 Delta Lloyd Regatta, incorporating the 2016 Para World Sailing Championships. Racing got off to a cold, windy and bumpy start in Medemblik on Tuesday and despite the adverse conditions, a full schedule of racing was completed on the first day.

Leading the way for the Aussies is the Sonar crew of Colin Harrison, Jonathan Harris and Russell Boaden who are currently second overall after finishing with a three and two in today’s two races. The British team of John Robertson, Hannah Stodel and Stephen Merged Thomas Merged are leading the Sonar fleet after two race wins.

Harrison, who finished seventh at London 2012, is happy to be back in Medemblik. “It’s exciting to be back in Medemblik. We’ve had some good results here in the past. The weather today just seems to be typical cold wild weather off the North Sea but at least it’s not raining. Every regatta has some significance in value – it’s just a case of getting out there, enjoying the experience and learning.”

Meanwhile there was high action in the 2.4mR class, where Matt Bugg was involved in a collision prior to the first race.

“I got a bit rattled before the start of race one after a collision that damaged my boat. I was headed back to shore when I was told that I was ok to race,” said Bugg after racing today. “I finished third in both races which I’m happy about. Can't complain with two thirds on the first day of a worlds.”

Bugg is currently lying third overall behind France’s Damien Seguin and Germany’s Heiko Kroger. Sailing in the morning, the 2.4mR class experienced the strongest winds of the day, while the Sonar and Skud 18 fleets sailed in lighter conditions during the afternoon.

In the Skud 18, Australia’s Daniel Fitzgibbon and Liesl Tesch are also in third overall. After winning today’s first race, the pair had a technical issue in the second race of the day, crossing the finish line in seventh place. Meanwhile the NSW team of Ame Branbrook and Brett Pearce are currently lying sixth overall after crossing the line in fifth place in both of today’s races.

Racing in Medemblik continues through until Saturday, when the Olympic classes here will sail their medal races. The races can be followed live through the event website.

Results for the Australian Sailing Team and Squad at the conclusion of day one, Sailing World Cup Hyeres 2016:

Paralympic Three Person Keelboat – Sonar

• Colin Harrison (WA/WAIS), Jonathan Harris (NSW/NSWIS) and Russell Boaden (WA/WAIS) – AST: 3, 2 – second

Paralympic Single Person Keelboat – International 2.4mR

• Matt Bugg (TAS/TIS) – AST: 3, 3, - third
• Neil Patterson (TAS/TIS) – 23, 19, - 21st

Paralympic Two Person Keelboat – Skud 18

• Daniel Fitzgibbon (NSW/NSWIS) / Liesl Tesch (NSW/NSWIS) – AST: 1, 7, - third
• Ame Barnbrook (NSW/NSWIS) / Brett Pearce (NSW/NSWIS) – ASS: 5, 5, - sixth

Men’s One Person Dinghy – Laser

• Luke Elliott (WA/WAIS) – ASS: 1, 15 – eighth
• Daniel Self: 27, 26, - 25th

Mens’ Skiff – 49er

• Sam Gilmour and Cameron Seagreen: DNF, DNF, - 22nd