Issue date
It was hot and calm in Rio, Brazil today, and no racing was possible at the Olympic Sailing Test Event (Aquece Rio – International Sailing Regatta 2014).
Today was day two of the regatta and all 324 sailors from 34 countries were prepared for a day of competition on which all ten Olympic classes were scheduled to race. But Guanabara Bay was becalmed and by 4pm organisers were forced to cancel all racing until tomorrow when predictions are for plenty of wind.
NZL Sailing Team’s Blair Tuke says, "We went out to try and get some racing in at about one and the wind was still blowing from the north west direction. It was really light and a bit all over the place and the Race Committee really struggled to get a race away but we went out there and gave it a try."
Despite a lack of competition on race day two Tuke is happy with the time put in to learning the Rio race course. Tuke concluded, "We've been here for a couple of weeks and it's been great. There are a lot of challenges with the current and different wind conditions but we're really enjoying our time here."
Finn sailor Andrew Murdoch comments, “No racing today. One essential component was missing...WIND. It never really showed up so just a long day waiting ashore.”
“The weather looks very different tomorrow with a front moving in so shouldn't be any shortage of wind. Keen to get into it tomorrow!”
ISAF reports on tomorrow’s programme and weather predictions; “The third day of racing will see a cold front pass through Rio de Janeiro that will bring showers, stronger breeze and an increase in wave size. Having lost a day of racing the 49er, 49erFX and Nacra 17 will sail four races whilst the remaining fleets will sail three races on Tuesday with the action set to commence at the earlier time of 11:30.”
Aqueece Rio – International Sailing Regatta 2014, 2-9 August 2014
New Zealand’s current standings Full results here
6th Natalia Kosinska (Women’s RS:X) - 15 points (13, 2)
10th Josh Junior (Finn)- 21 points (5, 16)
12th Andrew Murdoch (Finn)-22 points (10, 12)
Starting tomorrow…
Peter Burling and Blair Tuke – 49er
Marcus Hansen and Josh Porebski – 49er
Alexandra Maloney and Molly Meech – 49erFX
Andy Maloney – Laser
Sam Meech – Laser
Jo Aleh and Polly Powrie – Women’s 470
Paul Snow-Hansen and Daniel Willcox – Men’s 470
Sara Winther – Laser Radial
Gemma Jones and Jason Saunders – Nacra 17
Support and coaching: Jez Fanstone, Mark Howard, Nathan Handley, Simon Briscoe and Hamish Willcox, Craig Panther, David Slyfield, Louise Johnson, Christel Dunshea- Mooij
Links
Regatta website
NZL Sailing Team Sailor profiles
NZL Sailing Team on Facebook
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
