VETERAN ENGLISH YACHTSMAN IN REACH OF OLYMPIC DREAM

by Ian Grant on 21 Sep 2000 English triple Olympian Shirley Robertson is a firm believer in the well known phrase of -try, try again, and you may succeed.

Robertson 32 has displayed her maturity as the second oldest in the 27 Nation championship to show her younger and more fancied rivals how to sail consistently in a very difficult wind range.

Her determination to succeed in the demanding Europe dinghy class championship was reflected in the tactical plan she laid down to win the third race in light winds on Sydney Harbour today.

Robertson answered the challenge from the World ranked number one sailor and defending Gold Medal winner Kristine Roug of Denmark when she led the fleet home for a deserved win in race three.

This important win allowed Robertson to set up her lead in the race to be a medal chance at the end of the regatta.

After four energy absorbing races Robertson with her 4-3-1-11 leads the championship by a commanding 11 points over Kristine Roug with another point Neus Garriga of Spain.

RESULTS RACE 3: GBR 1, DEN 2, IRL 3, ITA 4, USA 5, AUT 6, AUS 7, MEX 8, ARG 9, GRE 10. RACE 4: GRE 1, Den 2, AUT 3, GER 4, NED 5, MEX 6, ARG 7, ESP 8, BEL 9, CZE 10.

PROGRESSIVE RESULTS: GBR 19pts 1, DEN 30pts 2, ESP 31pts 3, ITA 32pts 4, ARG 37pts 5, FIN 38pts 6, IRL 39pts 7, GER 41pts 8, NZL 42pts 9, GRE 46 pts 10.