MATTHIJSSE FIGHTS BACK IN EUROPE CLASS.
by Ian Grant. on 29 Sep 2000
Katrina Butler
Atlanta Silver Medallist Margriet Matthijsse completed a brilliant tactical race on Sydney Harbour today to climb back into second place for the Europe Class Gold Medal.
Matthijjse has set her ambition on winning the Gold Medal after missing out when her arch rival Kristine Roug of Denmark edged her out at Savannah four years ago.
However while Matthijjse was the master of the class today winning the race by 31 seconds over her training partner Sari Mutala of Finland and Sarah Macky of New Zealand she still faces a final race showdown to overhaul the title leader Shirley Robertson of England.
Robertson sailing in her third Olympic regatta was very consistent in the earlier light wind races to enter the final heat with a 4 point advantage in the race for Gold later today.
Naturally Matthijssewill be sailing for a win while Robertson will need to finish at least third to win the Gold Medal with the polite Argentine skipper Serene Amato comfortably placed to win a minor medal.
RESULTS Race 10 of 11 (Provisional) : END 1, FIN 2, NZ 3, AUS 4, ESP 5, USA 6, BEL 7, IT 8, GER 9, CZE 10. Progressive Pts. (Provisional), Shirley Robertson (GBR) 34 pts, Margriet Matthijsse (NED) 38pts,2 Serene Amato 43pts 3.
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