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Yachting Australia Corporate Partner
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Yachting Australia
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Australian Sonar and RSX crews move up the leader board at Sailing World Cup
Two Australian crews have moved their way up the leader board on day two of racing at the ISAF Sailing World Cup round in Medemblik, Holland.
The Sonar crew of Colin Harrison, Stephen Churm and Jonathan Harris have moved into third overall while in the RS:X women’s class Jessica Crisp is now fourth overall.
Harrison and crew had a great day on the water with a second and a first leaving them tied on points with the second placed Norwegian crew and just four points off the lead.
“Today's racing was one of the most satisfying days of International competition I’ve had with results of a second and a first,” said Harrison. “A light to moderate breeze and some changes to our boat tuning allowed us a small improvement in boat speed which helped us gain that small advantage over the race course and some great results.
“Again we had very close racing but we’ve climbed up to third place overall and are equal on points with the Norwegian,” he said.
Crewmember Harris was also impressed with how the trio are sailing in Holland.
“It's a very close fleet which makes it even more important to get the good results,” said Harris. “In the last two days of sailing we’ve shown that we can equal or beat any of the top teams from around the world in most conditions. The event is proving very valuable in our lead up to the London 2012 Paralympic Games."
In the RS:X women’s class Jessica Crisp also picked up a race win on day two in Medemblik.
The triple-Olympian had a consistent day on the water, also finishing up with a third and a fourth in the light to moderate conditions.
Crisp, who is preparing to compete at the London 2012 Olympic Games, now sits nine points off the lead after the opening six races.
Fellow Australian Joanna Sterling is 15th overall following a 13th, 15th and a 14th.
In the 2.4mR class Tasmanian Matt Bugg has dropped one position to be ninth following a pair of ninth place finishes on Wednesday.
“Today was a bit disappointing to be honest,” said Bugg. “Once again the sun was out so I can't complain too much and any day I don't have to don my drysuit is a good one for me.
“The wind was light and the water quite bumpy so it took a bit to make the boat go fast and keep it going fast,” he said. “I was really happy with my setup and boatspeed up and down-wind but once again it was my decision making and lack of starting practice that resulted in my two ninth places. Tomorrow's another day and I'm looking forward to a bit more wind and some more great racing.”
In the RS:X men’s class Queenslander Luke Baillie sits in 24th position after a 25th, a 23rd and a 20th.
Jake Lilley is the leading Australian in the Laser fleet in 29th overall, with Ki-Raphael Sulkowski 37th.
Day three in Medemblik is set to be a busy one with the Laser Radial, 470 and Finn classes to begin racing.
Full results can be found at http://results.deltalloydregatta.org/.
For more information on the Australian Sailing Team visit www.australiansailingteam.com.au and follow the team on Twitter at www.twitter.com/AusSailingTeam.
