Australia's Sarah Blanck wins Europe Worlds and qualifies Australia for Olympics

by Di Pearson on 4 Sep 2002 Australia's Sarah Blanck, has won her first World title in the Olympic class Europe single-handed dinghy today, winning the 2002 Europe World Championship in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

In a fleet of 109 of the top Europe sailors world-wide, the attractive 25 year old has shown the form which she has always been capable of, to hold a commanding lead throughout the World Championship, which included three wins, three 2nd's and a 3rd.

Blanck narrowly missed Olympic selection to the Sydney 2000 Games to her Victorian counterpart, Melanie Dennison, who is currently ranked No. 1 in the world in the Olympic Yngling Keelboat class.

From Sandringham in Victoria, and representing Royal Brighton Yacht Club, Blanck was ranked 30th in the world standings going into the Championship.
Her nearest rival, Siren Sundby from Norway is currently ranked 10th in the world while Germany's Petra Niemann, finished 3rd.

Conditions on Hamilton Harbour yesterday, for the first day of the finals, where light and shifty. Blanck had her worst day yet; scoring a 6th and 26th, but she still maintained a 10-point lead.

In the light and patchy conditions on Hamilton Harbour, Blanck has been consistently good with her starts, enabling her to break away from her competitors.

Going into her final races the Graphics Designer said she was 'surprised' and 'excited' to be leading the Worlds. Others say otherwise. Having watched Blanck from her childhood sailing days, those in the know say she has always been single-minded in her approach to sailing, with a strong competitive streak.

Her results in the Europe class bear this out with wins at '98 Australian Championship (the year she was named Australian Female Sailor of the Year), the '99 New Zealand National Championship and the '99 Sail Sydney, with a number of other top places, but this is her best result by far to-date.

Of her win, Blanck had this to say, 'Today I needed to stay near the 2nd place boat (Germany), and if we finished within 4 boats of each other, then I won the regatta. So in the first race, after the start I just went to the side of the course where she was and sailed with her the whole race. I finished 10th in this race which meant I have won the worlds!! Also, qualified Australia for the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.' (Blanck needed a top seven finish to qualify Australia for the 2004 Olympic Games).

Blanck went on to thank Glenn Lee for encouraging her to go sailing again. She also thanked her new coach Craig Ferris, for changing his plans with such short notice to support her this year and John Mooney for supporting and coordinating and sticking by her. Sue Thompson and the Australian Yachting Federation, her sponsors, Jack Gringlas (CMG Electric Motors), Yachting Victoria and the Victorian Institute of Sport were also thanked. Last but definitely not least, Mum, Dad, Em and David.