Australian Sailors World Rankings

by Katie Culbert on 2 Jun 2003 On May 31 the ISAF released the latest update for the World Sailing Rankings for Olympic classes. The events included in these rankings include the ISAF Grade 1 SPA Regatta which finished in Medimblik, The Netherlands last week. There are no World Championships included in this rankings release, but the start of the European regatta season has seen some major movements in some classes.

Australia’s top men's and women's 470 crews are now both ranked number 1 in the world - the only Australian crews ranked at the top at this stage.

Nathan Wilmot (AIS/NSWIS) & Malcolm Page (AIS/NSWIS) (470 Men) have retained their number 1 ranking, which they have held since October last year. Olympic gold medallists Jenny Armstrong (AIS/NSWIS) & Belinda Stowell (AIS/WAIS) (470 Women) have displaced their great rivals from Greece, the current World champions.

Olympic silver medallists Darren Bundock (AIS/NSWIS) & John Forbes (AIS/NSWIS) (Tornado) have slipped back to number 13. Bundock, who has been sailing with Victorian Glenn Ashby in Europe, was joined by Forbes this month for last week's SPA Regatta and the all important European Championships next month.

Expect the 2002 AIS Team of the Year, Bundock & Forbes, to rebound back up the ranking list over the next month or two.

Most Australians have moved up the ranking lists, as they now compete in more of the European regattas. Here’s a class by class review of the Australian athletes (previous ranking in brackets):

470 Men

As mentioned above Australian’s now hold the number 1 ranking in both the men’s and women’s 470 classes. After their recent good form in Europe Queensland’s Belcher brothers – Mat & Dan have moved up to 12th place. Australian places on the ranking list are as follows:

1. Nathan Wilmot & Malcolm Page (AIS/NSWIS)– 4972 points (1)

12. Mathew Belcher & Daniel Belcher (QLD) - 4380 points (13)

43. Shane Smith (QLD) & Andrew Verdon (NSW) – 2960 points (41)

76. Mark Padgett & Nick Behrens (TAS) – 1281 points (77)

152. Nathan Outteridge & Ayden Menzies (NSWIS) – 337 points (154)

470 Women

Olympic gold medallists Jenny Armstrong & Belinda Stowell have displaced the Greek World Champions – Sofia Bekatorou & Emilia Tsoulfa, and take over the number 1 world ranking. Australian rankings as at 31st May are:

1. Jenny Armstrong (AIS/NSWIS) & Belinda Stowell (AIS/WAIS) – 4786 points (2)

27. Lisa Charlson (QLD) & Friederike Ziegelmayer – 3378 points (27)

Tornado

As mentioned above Australia’s Darren Bundock (AIS/NSWIS) & John Forbes (AIS/NSWIS) have slid down the rankings to number 13.

13. Darren Bundock (AIS/NSWIS) & John Forbes (AIS/NSWIS) – 4078 points (10)

Yngling

Australia’s Melanie Dennison (AIS/VIS) / Caroline Aders (AIS/NSWIS) / Fiona Herbert (AIS/NSWIS) have moved back into the second position after strong performance in SPA.

Australian placing’s on the ranking list are as follows:

2. Dennison (AIS/VIS) / Aders (AIS/NSWIS) / Herbert (AIS/NSWIS) – 4396 points (4)

23. Bethwaite (NSWIS) / McHugh / Kosmala (NSWIS) – 2626 points (26)

39. Warn / Kawella / Warn (NSW) – 1381 points (36)

Laser

The members of the National Olympic Squad continue their strong performances, and are all now ranked in the top 30 laser sailors in the world.

Queensland’s Brendan Casey (AIS) maintains his place in the top 10. Australian rankings are:

6. Brendan Casey (AIS) – 4712 points (7)

22. Jon Holroyd – 3826 points (28)

26. Michael Blackburn (NSWIS) – 3720 points (39)

29. Tom Slingsby (NSWIS) – 3625 points (34)

54. Ben Lamb – 2752 points (60)

81. Nick Skulander – 2372 points (79)

Finn

Olympian Anthony Nossiter (NSWIS) has moved into the 10 after consistent strong performances in the recent regattas.

9. Anthony Nossiter (NSWIS) – 4145 points (17)

45. Josh Beaver (WA) – 2519 points (45)

47. Paul McKenzie (VIC) – 2260 points (49)

Europe

Australia’s current World Champion Sarah Blanck (AIS/VIS) has maintained her place in the top 10.

Australian’s on the ranking list are:

10. Sarah Blanck (AIS/VIS) – 4394 points (9)

32. Jo Dikkenberg (NSWIS) – 3310 points (31)

244. Alana Slingsby (NSW) – 174 points (242)

287. Clare Hozack (NSW) – 34 points (285)

Mistral Women

Young Sydneysider Allison Shreeve (NSWIS) has continued her move up the rankings. Cementing her position in the top 20, following strong performances in the recent European Championships and SPA Regatta.

14. Allison Shreeve (NSWIS) – 3902 points (18)

58. Jessica Crisp (NSW) – 1238 points (57)

Mistral Men

Michael Lancey (NSWIS) moves to 32 while Jono Bonnitcha (NSWIS) has jumped from 70 to 58.

Australian men’s rankings were:

32. Michael Lancey (NSWIS) – 3214 points (31)

58. Jono Bonnitcha (NSWIS) – 2452 points (70)

153. Lars Kleppich (NSW) – 529 points (151)

Star

All of the top Australian Star sailors have moved up the ranking list, following their recent trips to Europe. The Australian ranking’s in the Star class are:

27. Iain Murray & Andrew Palfrey (NSW) – 3248 points (35)

34. Ian 'Barney' Walker & Nick Williams (VIC) – 3004 points (54)

49. Colin Beashel (AIS) & David Giles (AIS) – 2274 points (60)

88. Andrew Hunn (TAS) & Mick O’Brien (QLD) – 1186 points (74)

93. Rod Hagebols & Will Finlay (NSW) – 1086 points (87)

284. Phil Baker Jnr & Phil Baker (NSW) – 200 points (259)

49er

Following his second place at last week’s SPA Regatta, 3 time 49er World Champion Chris Nicholson (NSWIS) has made the biggest moves by an Aussie on the ranking list, moving up 16 places to 30th. Mark Turnbull (VIS) and crew Nick Partridge (VIS) are still the highest ranked Aussies at number 22.

22. Mark Turnbull & Nick Partridge (VIS) – 3399 points (23)

30. Chris Nicholson (NSWIS) & Gary Boyd (NSWIS) – 3177 points (46)

53. John Harris & Euan McNicol (NSW) – 2038 points (49)

51. Ben Tardrew & Marcus Tardrew (VIC) – 2183 points (51)

55. Jason Beebe & Phil Manning (QLD) – 2013 points (56)

59. Emmett Lazich (NSW) & Dave Mann (WA) – 1868 points (60)

The next ranking’s update will be released on 2nd July 2003 and will include regattas up to and including the Kiel Week and Travemunde Regattas in Germany.