Kiwi Athens Olympian wins Laser Radial title

by Jodie Perkins, Yachting on 16 Feb 2005 Athen’s Olympian Sarah Macky took out the New Zealand Laser Radial nationals in a close tussle with 2004 New Zealand youth champion, Jo Aleh.

New Zealand women made a clean sweep on the podium in the Laser Radial fleet beating current world champion, Australian Krystal Weir, and a number of men to take out the top spots.

Jo Aleh (Kohimarama YC Auckland) clocked up more race wins over the 10 race contest, though two-time Olympian and Kohi club mate Sarah Macky came in three points ahead with more consistent results.

The Laser Radial replaces the Europe as the Olympic single-handed women’s class and will make its debut at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. Yachting New Zealand’s High Performance Manager, Peter Lester, is encouraged by the depth of the Radial fleet.

'Three of our hot young sailors beating the current World Champ; it’s fantastic! Macky is showing her sailing credentials by getting out of a Europe and back into a Radial and winning National regattas. She won Sail Auckland just recently and no doubt she’ll be a force to be reckoned with in Wellington at the Asia Pacifics as well.’

New Zealand Laser Nationals 2005 Final Results:

Laser Radial Fleet

1st – Sarah Macky – Kohimarama Yacht Club, Auckland

2nd – Jo Aleh - Kohimarama Yacht Club, Auckland

3rd – Sara Winther – Takapuna Boating Club, Auckland

4th – Krystal Weir – Sandringham Yacht Club, Australia

For full results go to the Napier Sailing Club Website by clicking the link below.