Issue date
New Zealand Olympic class sailors have taken a step closer to the podium as three kiwi crews get set for the final day of racing at their respective 2013 European Championships lying in the top three.
Peter Burling and Blair Tuke still lead at the 2013 SAP 49er European Championships in Arhus, Denmark while Alex Maloney and Molly Meech end the penultimate day of the 49erFX fleet lying 3rd overall. Meanwhile Natalia Kosinska is in 2nd, but on equal points with the leader, at the 2013 RS:X Womens’ European Championships at Brest, France.
Burling and Tuke hold their lead with a day to go
Video highlights from day five
After waiting for wind in Arhus the 49er gold fleet featuring the top 16 placed crews hit the water and sailed two races to determine the overall standings going into the final day of the six day series. Peter Burling and Blair Tuke sailed two strong races with a 4th and a win and stay at the top of the leader-board seven points clear of Fletcher and Sign from Great Britain who also sailed well to retain 2nd position.
Team mates Marcus Hansen and Josh Porebski who had the lead earlier in the regatta are in 8th place still footing it with the world’s best with a 9th and a 12th in today’s light air races. Crucially they have secured a place in the top eight which means they will sail the final – those placed 9th-16th must now sail a petit final in which only one crew will advance.
World number one ranked 49erFX crew Alex Maloney and Molly Meech will go into the final race in 3rd overall holding 80 points after a 2nd and a 12th in racing on day five.
Leaders Nielsen and Olsen are well out in front of the pack on 61 points with Brazilian’s Grael and Kunze outshining their rivals today by recording a win and a 2nd. They’re in 2nd with 72 points – the kiwis eight adrift behind them.
Tomorrow’s final races for both the men in the 49er and the women in the 49erFX are worth double points and cannot be discarded, so the stakes are high.
Video highlights
2013 SAP 49er European Championships
New Zealand’s standings after day five
3rd Alexandra Maloney and Molly Meech (10, 9, 6, 2, 10, 3, 7, 17, 7, 4, 10, 10, 2, 12)
(Women’s fleet full results)
1st Peter Burling and Blair Tuke (18, 9, 1, 9, DSQ, 1, 18, 3, 2, 1, 3, 7, 4, 1)
8th Marcus Hansen and Josh Porebski (4, 22, 2, 1, 1, 2, 17, 10, 19, 2, 17, 19, 9, 12)
11th in Silver Fleet Ben Goodwin and Sam Bullock
(Men’s fleet full results)
Kosinska shares the lead at RS:X Europeans
Natalia Kosinska is shaping up for a career highlight result at the 2013 RS:X European Championship now lying 2nd overall, but sharing equal points with the leader going into the final day of the regatta at Brest, France.
The kiwi windsurfer relinquished the eight point lead she held at the outset of day five to France’s Charline Picon who won both races sailed today catching Kosinska on the points table. Kosinska was 6th and then 13th today and along with Picon, is six points clear of Mayaan Davidovich of Israel in 3rd.
Dave Robertson, who is in France coaching New Zealand’s youth representatives, describes the day;
“Another long day with racing not starting until 4pm. Light offshore winds again with a few more holes than yesterday – it was very tricky day with plenty of luck needed. Natalia had some great upwind beats again but was unfortunate on several occasions with the wind coming down the course with the girls behind. A very tough day at the top!”
The Women’s racing will go down to the wire tomorrow with three medal races scheduled to start at 9am. The points are likely to rearrange significantly as there will be another drop once two races have been sailed and all three medal race results must be counted.
“Looking at the provisional results right now there will be five women all within striking range of the medals, with a few more outsiders. It’s fair to say this regatta will not be decided until the 3rd race of the medal series,” says Robertson.
Technically Kosinska is in the running for the ‘2013 Open Brest Championship title’ as only sailors representing the European nations are eligible for the RS:X European title, but this won’t matter much to Kosinska. This is a key regatta for the Olympic windsurfing RS:X class with all the top players in the fleet together – a podium result for Kosinska here is a clear signal of her ability and current form that will not go unnoticed.
Both regattas run over six days with final results set to be decided on Sunday 7th July.
2013 RS:X European Championships
New Zealand’s standings after day five
2nd Natalia Kosinska (Women) (3, 5, 7, 6, 4, 4, 5, 1, 6, 13)
27th Xanthe Bowater (Women Youth)
42nd Alexander Hart (Men Youth)
(Full results from France)
Links:
Yachting New Zealand website
NZL Sailing Team on Facebook
NZL Sailing Team sailor profiles
About the NZL Sailing Team
NZL Sailing Team includes New Zealand’s top Olympic campaigners who share the ultimate goal to win Olympic medals for New Zealand at the Rio Games in 2016.
NZL Sailing Team sailors all started out at grass roots yacht clubs around the country and with commitment, dedication and drive have risen to be world class athletes; they work hard in the gym, train long hours on the water and are supported by great coaches.
For more information contact
Jodie Bakewell-White
Communications Manager, Yachting New Zealand
E. jodie@yachtingnz.org.nz
M. 021 709 065
