Sarah Steyaert (FRA) wins Womens Laser Radials

by Richard Gladwell on 20 Mar 2008 Sarah Steyaert (FRA) has won the Womens Laser Radials sailed off Takapuna, New Zealand.

Controversy played a major part in her win as the World Championship leader, Xu Lijia (CHN) had the series in the bag after the ninth and penultimate race, but she was penalised by the on the water judges for pumping. As this was her second offence in the series she was required to retire immediately, and she sailed off the course after the first beat.

That gave Steyart, then second overall by 10 pts, the series after she finished fifth over the line in the final race - backing up her first place in Race 9.

Jo Aleh (NZL) had a bad day with a 11th in Race 9 and a 43rd in the final race, for 14th overall, after the second discard was taken into account.

Conditions off Takapuna were idea for racing with a 10-12kt offshore breeze, which settled down in direction as the day progressed.

Third overall in the regatta was Andrea Brewster (GBR) who was 20pts behind second placegetter Lijia (CHN).