KLEPPICH LEADS IN MISTRALS.

by Ian Grant. on 22 Sep 2000 Lars Kleppich Australia's 33 year old Mistral board sailor took a narrow one point lead in his personal ambition to win a Gold Medal in and exciting class competition in light winds on Sydney Harbour today.

Kleppech a Bronze Medallist in Barcelona and the 1999 World champion could only manage an 18-8 score in the two physically demanding races sailed earlier today.

However Kleppich is under threat from his equal Gold Medal rival Aaron McIntosh of New Zealand who sailed brilliantly in both races to card a 1-5 on his exciting climback from a distant fourth to a close second.

Overnight leader Christoph Sieber of Austria placed his score in damage control with a below par 7-21 to slip to third overall.

This has set the stage for a late series showdown between the exceptionally talented 28 year old McIntosh and his Australian rival Kleppich in the remaining races of the series.

RESULTS Race 7 (Provisional): NZL 1, ARG 2, CHN 3, GRE 4, FRA 5, UKR 6, AUT 7, BRA 8, GER 9, USA 10. Race 8 (Provisional) UKR 1, CHN 2, FIJ 3, ISR 4, NZL 5, TPE 6, USA 7, AUS 8, GBR 9, INA 10. Provisional Leaders: AUS 40pts 1, NZL 41pts 2, AUT 43pts 3.