Two kiwis make top ten at 2012 Kiteboard Racing Worlds

Yachting and Boating Quarterly - Edition 3

Issue date

7 Oct 2012

The New Zealand team competing at the 2012 Kiteboard Racing World Championships in Cagliari, Italy have secured a spot in the medal race series in both the men’s and women’s fleets.

Both Dave Robertson and Justina Sellers have made the top ten and will each sail two races tomorrow on the final day of competition where the 2012 World Champions will be decided. Robertson has qualified in eighth overall, Sellers is in tenth place improving after strong results on the third day of the regatta.

“It’s a happy camp tonight with two kiwis into the medal races for our first time competing at the World Championships,” reports Dave Robertson from Cagliari.

“Great success on the water today for Justina who moved up to 10^th overall and has qualified for the medal race series tomorrow. She has sailed better and better all regatta and really nailed a couple of races today which was awesome!”

Robertson has himself secured a spot in the top ten with a 6^th, 8^th and 22^nd in gold fleet racing. He explains; “I got taken out by a port tack sailor so was given redress for the last race in the gold fleet series and I have qualified for the medal race series tomorrow in 8^th position.”

“Conditions today were excellent again with a fluctuating 12-14 knot onshore breeze. The big waves made for some tough board handling.”

Robertson is impressed with how the regatta has been run: “It has been a great showcase for the sport with eleven races run so far in conditions between 6-18 knots. It has proven itself this week as ready for the Olympics. The race management has been excellent running 16 races a day across the four fleets.”

The Kiteboard Racing format at this World Championships means that tomorrow’s medal race series is as follows…