New Zealand strong in Mens and Womens RS-X World

by Sail-World on 25 Sep 2006 New Zealand windsurfers have asserted their dominance at the inaugural RS:X World Championships in Torbole, Italy, lying in the top three overall in both the Mens and Womens events.

After two days of Qualifying, Tom Ashley lies in second overall scoring a win and a second plcae in his fleet. Barbara Kendall lies third overall in the Womnes Qualifying pointstable after scoring a win and a third on the second day. The application of a discard of worst place has helped Kendall - allowing her to discard her 11th place on the first day.

Ashley reported back to Yachting NZ:

'Just a quick note after the second day of racing at the RS:X World Championship in Torbole, Italy.

'So far everything is going perfectly. I have placed 1,1,1,2 in the four races sailed so far and am currently in 2nd overall. At the moment the fleet is split up into four groups, and will continue this way for two more races tomorrow. After tomorrow's racing the top 40 competitors will be put into the Gold Fleet for the final three days of racing.

'I am really happy with my speed and am racing pretty well. I'm really looking forward to racing in the Gold Fleet with all the other top sailors.'

The Mens event sees three sailors tied on the top of the leaderboard on three points - with a tiebreaker being used to separate leader Casper Bouman (NED), Ashley (NZL) and Joeri van Dijk (NED) in third. ISAF #1 ranked sailor, Nick Dempsey (GBR) is fourth.

Zofia Klepacka (POL) leads the Womens event with Marina Neira (ESP) in second and Kendall third. She is tied on points with Alessandra Sensini (ITA), bronze medallist at the 2004 Olympics, is fourth overall.

The other New Zealand results are as follows:
Women
Hayley Thom 29th; Stefanie Williams 37th; Kate Ellingham 54th and Justina Sellers 68th

Men
JP Tobin 23rd (after being re-instated for only one race due to sail-number confusion); Michael Lichtwark 99th; Nick Lichtwark 139; Antonio Cozzolino 133rd

To underline the chasm of difference between Torbole and Qingdao the Chinese sailor who won the Gold medal in the pre-Pre Olympics, two weeks ago, is now placed 119th overall in the 160 strong fleet.

Tobin was initially re-instated for fifth in both races, after not advising before the race of a change in sail-number, however the Jury re-convened and changed one to a DNS and then left him with the other fifth placing. He has been able to discard the DNS and while damaging to his points the effect is reduced. Had the original decision been allowed to stand he would now be in 20th overall, instead of 23rd. The cut for the Gold fleet is expected to be the top 40 entries and Tobin along with Ashley should make this grade, provided both hold form.

Conditions in Torbole were classic Garda weather for which it is known as the 'Paradise of Sailing'. The Ora blew at a steady 15 kts out of clear skies and with the mist lifting off the hills for the first time all regatta. It was picture-perfect for sailing in the best stadium in the world.

Racing continued to be the tactical drag race of yesterday, with most competitors doing just two tacks to the top mark, downwind is where all the gains are made. Kendall had a narrow win in her race, Ashley too was less dominant in his race win than had been the case yesterday for his two bullets.

Racing continues tonight (NZT)