TENSION MOUNTS IN THE AUSTRALIAN CAMP

by Isabelle Musy on 28 Sep 2000 After yesterday's races cancellation, tension mounts among the Australian men's and women's 470's crew, as they're both one race away from gold.

Jenny Armstrong and Belinda Stowell as well as Tom King and Mark Turnbull are about to create history as if they make it they would be the first Australian sailors to reach gold since 1972.

Jenny Armstrong and Belinda Stowell have a comfortable 9 points lead over their closest opponents, the Germans and the Americans.

The Australian pair must finish in the top 9 to grab the gold medal.

The threat comes from both the Germans and the Americans. Both pair could deprive Australia from the gold medal by wining heat 11 and with Armstrong and Stowell finishing in 9th or worse.

In the men's fleet, Tom King and Mark Turnbull are also in a good position for the gold medal although the task might be a bit harder for them as they must finish in the top 5.

Top world ranked, Americans Paul Foerster and Bob Merrick, are King and Turnbull's big threat. To get the most precious medal, the Americans must win the final race with the Australians finishing six or worse.


WOMEN'S PROGRESSIVES RESULTS AFTER 10 RACES AND 2 DISCARDS: 1. AUS 32 PTS, 2. GER 41 PTS, 3. USA 41 PTS, 4. ISR 42 PTS, 5. UKR 45 PTS, 6. ESP 50 PTS, 7. JPN 55 PTS. 8. ITA 56 PTS, 9. SWE 57 PTS. 10. ARG 59 PTS.

MENS' PROGRESSIVE RESULTS AFTER 10 RACES AND 2 DISCARDS: 1. AUS 36 PTS, 2. USA 41 PTS, 3. ARG 47 PTS, 4. GBR 51 PTS, 5. POR 52 PTS, 6. ESP 64 PTS, 7. RUS 65 PTS, 8. NZL 68 PTS, 9. UKR 69 PTS. 10 GRE 72 PTS.