Australian’s Shift into Top Gear as the Conditions Shift

by Sail-World on 1 May 2003 The competition is on, in what is an important regatta for the Australian Laser sailors. With Olympic Nomination points up for grabs the competition in the gold fleet is getting tighter.



Brendan Casey (AIS) of Queensland sailed consistently (6,6) to move to 12th overall, just nine places behind Olympic Bronze medallist, Michael Blackburn. Blackburn (NSWIS) is sitting in 3rd overall with a 7th and 12th in race seven and eight consecutively,



The weather in Hyeres, France on day four of the 35th Semaine Olympique Francaise, was somewhat frustrating for sailors and officials with shifty and patchy wind. Racing was postponed till the afternoon as the wind shifted from the east to south-east, making racing difficult.



Only one race was sailed in the 470 class with both the Australian men and women winning their races, putting them both in top positioning in their fleets.



Olympic Gold Medallists Jenny Armstrong (AIS/NSWIS) and Belinda Stowell (AIS/WAIS) are starting to shine after their win. The pair suffered from the strong winds on day one, but are definitely fighting to the end as the push themselves to 3rd place overall.



In the 470 men, world number one Nathan Wilmot (AIS/NSWIS) and Malcolm Page (AIS/NSWIS) take first place from the Swedes, after their impressive win. After being tied on equal points, the Australian’s now have a five point lead over the Swedes with two days of racing remaining.



Competition in the Yngling class continues to be close. Australia’s Melanie Dennison (AIS/VIS), Fiona Herbert (AIS/NSWIS) and Caroline Aders (AIS/NSWIS) are in third place, just two points behind the first placed Danes and one point behind the second placed Germans.



Overall positions and point score after day four:



Laser

1. SUNESON Karl (SWE) – 17 pts

2. SUOMALAINEN Roope (FIN) – 19 pts

3. BLACKBURN Michael (AUS) – 21 pts

12. CASEY Brendan (AUS) – 36 pts

21. HOLROYD Jon (AUS) – 65 pts

31. SLINGSBY Tom (AUS) – 80 pts



470 Men

1. WILMOT Nathan/PAGE Malcolm (AUS) – 12 pts

2. MOLUND Johan/ANDERSSON Martin (SWE) - 17 pts

3. ALVARO Marinho/NUNES Miguel (POR) – 19 pts

11. BELCHER Mathew/BELCHER Daniel (AUS) – 51 pts



470 Women

1. BEKATOROU Sofia/TSOULFA Emilia (GRE) – 14 pts

2. VIA DUFRESNE Natalia/AZON Sandra (ESP) – 42 pts

3. ARMSTRONG Jenny/STOWELL Belinda (AUS) – 52 pts

28. CHARLSON Lisa/ZIEGELMAYER Frederike (AUS) – 146 pts



Yngling

1. JENSEN Dorte O/JESPERSEN Helle/KIEL Rachel (DEN) - 28 pts

2. SCHUEMANN Ulrike/BUELLE Wibke/LIPPERT Winnie (GER) – 29 pts

3. DENNISON Melanie/HERBERT Fiona/ADERS Caroline (AUS) – 30 pts



Mistral Men

1. TOBIN+ Jon-Paul (NZ) – 14 pts

2. HUGUET Nicolas (FRA) – 30 pts

3. FRIDMAN Gal (ISR) – 33 pts

23. LANCEY Michael (AUS) – 176 pts

25. BONNITCHA Jonothan (AUS) - 202 pts



Mistral Women

1. LAI Mingshuang (CHN) – 34 pts

2. GAO Qian (CHN) – 36 pts

3. YIN Jian (CHN) – 37 pts

6. SHREEVE Allison (AUS) – 50 pts


Europe


1. SUNDBY Siren (NOR) – 32 pts

2. MULTALA Sari (FIN) – 34 pts

3. ABRAHAMSEN Trine (DEN) – 34 pts

5. BLANCK Sarah (AUS) – 41 pts

15. DIKKENBERG Jo (AUS) – 72 pts



Finn

1. GODEFROID Sébastien (BEL) – 18 pts

2. KUSZNIEREWICZ Mateusz (POL) – 20 pts

3. AINSLIE Ben (GBR) – 20.3 pts

7. NOSSITER Anthony (AUS) – 59 pts

15. MCKENZIE Paul (AUS) – 100 pts

56. FLETT Harley (AUS) – 318 pts



49er

1. LUKA Rodion/LEONCHUK Georgiy (UKR) – 25 pts

2. DRAPER Chris/HISCOCKS Simon (GBR) – 26 pts

3. BROTHERTON Paul/ASQUITH Mark (GBR) – 29 pts

28. TURNBULL Mark/PARTRIDGE Nick (AUS) – 58 pts*

37. TARDREW Ben/TARDREW Marcus (AUS) – 66 pts*


* No racing in silver fleet. Result after day three.