Issue date
Jo Aleh and Polly Powrie are leading at the 2014 Women’s 470 European Championships which got underway today in Athens.
Meanwhile, in Helsinki at the 49er and 49erFX European Champs Alexandra Maloney and Molly Meech (pictured) knocked out three great races to lift their overall rank, and Peter Burling and Blair Tuke returned a couple of bullets in exhilarating conditions.
No racing took place in France at the 2104 Nacra 17 European Champs due to too much wind.
Men’s and Women’s 470
The Men’s and Women’s 470 European Championship got underway today in Athens, Greece where the men’s fleet sailed three races and the women sailed two.
Jo Aleh and Polly Powrie have the early lead after two solid races sailed late in the day off Athens.
Jo Aleh says, “Solid day for us on the water today.”
“We finally got racing about 4pm, managed two keepers, a 5th and a 3rd. So happy enough with that as it was a rather tricky day and for moments in each race it looked like it could be far worse.”
“[We’re] looking forward to more racing tomorrow, with a later start time of 2pm hopefully there will be less sitting around.”
British rivals Saskia Mills and Hannah Clarke are just one point behind the kiwis in second.
Paul Snow-Hansen and Daniel Willcox opened their regatta with a 3rd place in the first race, going on to finish 21st then 19th in the subsequent two. The New Zealand men are in 27th overall at the end of day one.
2014 Men’s and Women’s 470 European Championships, Athens, Greece
What: Olympic double-handed dinghy classes (Men’s and women’s)
When: Thursday July 10th - Tuesday July 15th
New Zealand’s current standings
Women’s 470
1st Jo Aleh and Polly Powrie 8 points (5, 3)
Men’s 470
27th Paul Snow-Hansen and Daniel Willcox 43 points (3, 21, 19)
NZL Sailing Team Coaches: Nathan Handley and Pete Evans
49er and 49erFX
Helsinki turned on plenty of breeze for day three of the 2014 49er and 49erFX European Championships providing the top kiwis the power to win some races and improve their standings, despite some capsizes along the way.
In the men’s fleet Peter Burling and Blair Tuke, defending champions, are lying 5th overall as the regatta’s qualifying rounds come to a close. Today was eventful for the kiwi duo who capsized no less than three times but also won two of their four races sailed.
With 23 points they’re among some familiar names stacked at the top of the leader-board as the world’s best came through the tough conditions on day three the least scathed. With three days to run the battle is only heating up!
Marcus Hansen and Josh Porebski have also secured a place in the gold fleet cut lying 27th overall in the provisional standings at the end of day three.
Alexandra Maloney and Molly Meech were outstanding in the big breeze and have rocketed up the leader-board after returning three great race results on day three. The kiwi girls placed 2nd, 3rd and 1st on the water today which sees them take a ten place jump from 17th into 7th in the standings.
The girls, who are reigning world champions, took the bronze medal at this event in 2013.
Tomorrow the Gold Fleet racing begins, with a first start for the 49erFX at 11:00. Here you can view the 'Graveyard' video from day three: http://youtu.be/TYT1p4FhfXA
2014 49er and 49erFX European Championships, Helsinki, Finland
What: Olympic skiff classes (Men’s and Women’s)
When: Tuesday July 8th - Sunday July 13th
New Zealand’s Current standings
49er: (83 boats)
5th Peter Burling and Blair Tuke 23 points (1, 12, 4, 4, 1, 14, 1)
27th Marcus Hansen and Josh Porebski 46 points (4, 12, 8, 16, 11, 9, 3)
47th Logan Dunning-Beck and Jack Simpson 83 points (15, 16, 9, 20, 10, 21, 13)
51st Ben Goodwin and Sam Bullock 90 points (15, 13, 24, 16, 11, 16, 19)
49erFX: (51 boats)
7th Alexandra Maloney and Molly Meech 29 points (8, 11, 6, 9, 2, 3, 1)
30th Erica Dawson and Ellie Copeland 78 points (11, 9, 13, 23, 15, 26, 7)
NZL Sailing Team Coaches: Jez Fanstone and Hamish Willcox
Nacra 17
With over 30 knots of wind in La Grande Motte, France the Nacra 17 Olympic multihull fleet racing for the 2014 European title suffered another cancelled day with no competition possible.
Five races have been completed and two days remain on the schedule, so kiwi entry Gemma Jones and Jason Saunders will be looking to re-group and come out firing tomorrow. They are lying 12th overall.
2014 Nacra 17 European Championships
What: Olympic mixed multihull
When: Monday July 7th - Saturday July 12th
Where: La Grande Motte, France
New Zealand’s Current Standings
12th Gemma Jones and Jason Saunders 20 points (1, 11, 8, 9, 8)
NZL Sailing Team Coach: Will Howden
About the NZL Sailing Team
The NZL Sailing Team includes New Zealand’s top Olympic campaigners who have made the top 20% in their most recent (respective) class World Championships or pinnacle event and have shown consistency of performance over the year including other significant Championships.
Yachting New Zealand’s High Performance Programme is focussed on winning medals at the Olympics in Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020.
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
Jodie Bakewell-White
Yachting New Zealand Communications Manager
Tel. 021 709 065
Email. jodie@yachtingnz.org.nz
Photo: Maloney and Meech racing in Helsinki © Mick Knive Anderson www.sailingpix.dk
