NZL Sailing Team- Bronze for Burling and Tuke in World Cup, Medemblik

by Jodie Bakewell-White on 30 May 2011 NZL Sailing Team Mens HP Skiff( 49er) sailors Peter Burling and Blair Tuke won the bronze medal in the fifth round of the 2011 ISAF Sailing World Cup Regatta just concluded in Medemblik, the Netherlands.

Sailed predominantly in strong winds and choppy conditions the kiwis moved up into medal contention as the regatta progressed and last night secured the podium finish.

With a relatively wide points spread among the top three the kiwis had little chance to climb further up the ladder particularly when racing on the penultimate day was cancelled, but they gave it their best shot in last night’s medal race.

'After opening up a nice lead they capsized on the second downwind near the top mark - they were in a lull and were then hit by a gust,' explains Richard Burling, Peter’s Dad. 'It cost them a bit as they had their gennaker up.'

They crossed the line in 8th for the bronze medal. Steve Morrison and Ben Rhodes took the gold medal for Great Britain, while Nathan Outteridge and Iain Jensen from Australia won silver.

A fleet of 39 were competing in the 49er – a high performance skiff – in Medemblik with an even larger fleet expected to be at the next round of the World Cup in Weymouth, UK.

Miranda Powrie of New Zealand finished tenth in the Womens Singlehander (Laser Radial) class in Medemblik securing her best ever ISAF Sailing World Cup result.

The focus for the entire NZL Sailing Team now turns to Skandia Sail for Gold Regatta on from 6th – 9th June at the 2012 Olympic venue – Weymouth in the United Kingdom. Skandia Sail for Gold is the sixth of seven regattas which make up the 2010-2011 ISAF Sailing World Cup and a large kiwi contingent will be on the start line.

2011 Delta Lloyd Regatta, Medemblik, Netherlands
New Zealand’s Final Results

49er
3rd Peter Burling and Blair Tuke

Men’s RS:X
53rd Carl Evans

Finn
15th Dan Slater

Laser Radial
10th Miranda Powrie

Women’s Match Racing
11th Stephanie Hazard, Jenna Hansen and Susannah Pyatt