Hammer down for Burling and Tuke today in Rio

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Issue date

18 Aug 2015

2015 Rio Test Event rolled into day three today in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil where Peter Burling and Blair Tuke have taken the overall lead and five New Zealand crews are now placed within the top seven in their class.

The day brought more tricky conditions with light winds - too light for any racing on the three outer course areas. All fleets completed at least one race, with the 49ers sailing four.

49er

Peter Burling and Blair Tuke put the hammer down today racking up three race wins from four races to take the overall lead in the 49er class.

“It was a tricky day out there on the close course right under the Sugar Loaf so we’re really pleased to come away we three good results,” says Peter Burling.

“We had a bit of a tough one in that second race when we ended up about 12^th. We thought we were in really good shape up the first beat, and then just got one thing wrong and we pretty much ended up right at the back and then we were battling through the fleet for the rest of the race to get back to 12^th.”

At the end of day two the 49er fleet has now completed six races and Burling and Tuke know there is plenty of racing yet to come.

Tuke says, “We’re halfway through the fleet racing series of the regatta. We had two races yesterday which were good for us, just a nice solid start, and it was good to get out and put the hammer down today and get three 1sts.”

“Not such a great race in the second one, but it was pleasing the way we bounced back and were able to take to more 1sts. We’re happy but we also know there’s plenty more work to do this week.”

49erFX

Despite the forecast for stronger breeze on the three outside courses today it didn’t eventuate and the 49erFX, Laser and Finn fleets played a long waiting game until the inner course areas came free and they each sailed one race in light breeze late in the day.

Alexandra Maloney and Molly Meech weren’t fazed and they added a solid keeper score with a 5^th place. The kiwi skiff women are now in 4^th overall and will back on the water tomorrow.

Nacra 17

Gemma Jones and Jason Saunders have relinquished their early lead in the mixed multihull class, but remain well placed in 4^th overall at the end of racing today with a total of six races now on the board.

They started the day with a win in the 17-strong Nacra class, and added a tidy 3^rd in the second race. Placing 13^th in the final race pushes their net points total out to 21 with Germany, Netherlands and Australia edging ahead of the kiwis.

Tomorrow the Nacra fleet have a reserve day scheduled allowing Jones and Saunders, and their rivals and day to recuperate off the water before racing again on Wednesday in Rio.

Women’s 470

Jo Aleh and Polly Powrie scored a 5^th and a 9^th in their two races and retain 7^th overall on equal points with the Spanish crew in 6^th.

Polly Powrie describes their day, “It wasn’t too bad. We were on the Naval course today, so inside the harbour.”

"We didn't quite feel that we had the boat up to speed today, which didn't help, but it was more making a few calls that were not quite the smartest options! It was however a good learning day, so happy enough with that, and looking forward to trying again tomorrow!"

“We’re scheduled to be back outside the bay, a little bit different again.”

“We’ll just keep chipping away and try and keep improving.”

Men’s 470

The Men’s 470 fleet also sailed two races today, kiwi pair Paul Snow-Hansen and Daniel Willcox placed 17^th and 12^th to lie 15^th overall after four races.

Finn

After a long day offshore waiting for wind the Finn fleet came inside the bay to complete one race late in the day in Rio. New Zealand sailor Josh Junior had a good result with a 4^th place and has improved to 6^th overall.

Laser

Like the Finns and 49erFX the Laser fleet had to wait for a free inside course to sail just one race today. Andy Maloney placed 23^rd and is now lying 12^th.

2015 Rio Test Event, Rio de Janeiro
The NZL Sailing Team current standings

1^st Peter Burling and Blair Tuke - 49er (2, 6, 1, 12, 1, 1)
4^th Gemma Jones and Jason Saunders - Nacra 17 (2, 2, 14, 1, 3, 13)
4^th Alexandra Maloney and Molly Meech - 49erFX (3, 1, 15, 5)
6th Josh Junior - Finn (7, 10, 4)
7^th Jo Aleh and Polly Powrie - Women’s 470 (4, 12, 5, 9)
12th Andy Maloney – Laser (11, 6, 9, 22, 23)
15^th Paul Snow-Hansen and Daniel Willcox - Men’s 470 (17, 10, 17, 12)