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Another busy day at the Agios Kosmas Sailing Centre, with nine classes competing on day six at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. Things looked on a high for the Aussie team, as day fives ideal conditions bought with it some promising results. However, light shifty conditions ranging from 5-14 knots dawned upon Athens again. The conditions continue to test the competitors and consistency from day to day is a real struggle for many. Europe The light conditions were unfavourable for Victoria’s Sarah Blanck (AIS/VIS) overnight. In race seven, Blanck found herself as far back as 17th at the 3rd mark, but managed to pass four boats on her way to the finish line. A 13th, her worst result at the regatta, allowed World Champion Siren Sundby (NOR) to over take her by four points. Sundby extended her overall lead in race eight, dominating from start to finish, while Blanck crossed in 8th. Now, Sundby regains the gold medal spot on 33 points, with Blanck following on 42 points. Sundby today submitted a request to officials to re-open the protest which saw her disqualified in race three. If successful, the Norwegian world champion would be in an unassailable position for the gold medal. However, the appeal was dismissed and the disqualification stands. We are in for some very exciting competition as the final three races in the Europe class are contested. Second and fifth place overall are currently separated by only three points. The woman that can be tactically superior in the unpredictable Athens conditions will prevail and claim the coveted gold medal. Finn With just one race remaining in the Finn class Australia's Anthony Nossiter (AIS/NSWIS) is placed 6th overall. Out on the water overnight ‘Nocka’ had a mixed day. The first race of the day started in the southerly sea breeze that was pretty unstable. Nocka's race result of 20th unfortunately pushed him back in the overall placings. He fought back in the second race of the day to 6th place despite being penalised for pumping and having to complete turns. The Finns have sailed 10 of their 11 races. Tomorrow is a lay day, with the final race to be sailed on Saturday. Nossiter sits 21 points behind the bronze medal position. In other Finn results, Great Britain’s Ben Ainslie has guaranteed himself a 2004 Athens Olympic medal thanks to a 2nd and 1st on day six racing. Saturday’s final race will decide the colour of this medal. There will be no room for error come Saturday, with all medal prospects holding at least one high score in their results. 470 The gold medal in the 470 women’s event has already been decided. Greece's Sofia Bekatorou and Emilia Tsoulfa are guaranteed the top spot with a race to spare. The Greek girls have sailed consistently throughout the regatta, handling the light shifty conditions very well. On their way to Gold they have posted five bullets and had 50% less total points than the next placed team. They have led the entire series from start to finish, never once falling from the top spot. Meanwhile, Australia's Jenny Armstrong (AIS/NSWIS) and Belinda Stowell will be very disappointed (AIS/WAIS) with their overall performance. The defending Olympic champions went into the regatta fresh off a win in the prestigious Kiel Week Regatta and a 4th at the World Championships. However, the unpredictable and tough conditions in Athens got the better of the pair. In race nine and ten the pair recorded a 13th and a 10th and are currently 13th overall. A top ten finish for the 2000 Sydney gold medallists is still a possibility - they are currently four points behind the tenth place crew. Spain, Sweden, Slovakia and Denmark will all battle for silver and bronze in Saturday’s final and the deciding race will be intense with four teams realistically in reach. Before racing began current world champions in the 470 men’s class Nathan Wilmot (AIS/NSWIS) and Malcolm Page (AIS/NSWIS) were only five points shy of a medal position as the series drew closer to the end. Today’s racing took place in a light sea breeze that again picked up as the day progressed. It looked promising for the Sydney pair as they crossed the finish line third in their first race today. After a difficult start to the regatta the pair were finally putting a good string of results together. However, their fortunes changed in the second race as the dying breeze saw the pair cross the line in 26th place. With only one race remaining, they maintain fifth place overall and are 12 points short of the Bronze medal. The Aussie duo are not completely out of the running and will be aiming to finish on a high and claim the bronze medal. The battle for gold and silver will go down to the wire. Veterans Paul Foerster and Kevin Burnham (USA) are currently a two points in front of Nick Rogers and Joe Glanfield (GBR). Tomorrow is a lay-day. The final race will be held on Saturday. Mistral The conditions on the Saronic Gulf continue to interrupt the race schedule for both the Mistral men’s and women’s fleets. After five days of racing the women have sailed five races, while the men have managed to sail only four. After a long wait only one race was contested. In her favoured light conditions Jessica Crisp (AIS/NSWIS) crossed the line in 7th. Crisp is placed 6th overall on the leader board, still in sight of a medal finishing position. Yesterday’s leader Lia Shan Lee (HKG) drops to third overall, after being sited for an OCS (disqualification). France and Italy lead the charge. In the men’s fleet three-time Olympian Lar Kleppich (AIS/NSWIS) jumped three places to 5th overall thanks to his series best performance in race four. Laser However, a poor start saw the Sydney 2000 bronze medallist cross the start line 40th. From here Blackburn caught up, passing boats at each leg. In the end he had to settle for 20th. With three races remaining Blackburn is placed 6th overall on 62 points. He trails 18 points behind the bronze medal position. 49er Racing in the 49er was delayed today due to the light shifty conditions. However, they finally headed out around 4pm to race in conditions of around 10-11 knots. Following an impressive day on the water yesterday, expectations were high for the Australian duo. The Aussies had a slow start to the day, crossing the line in 17th position in the first race of the day and 18th in the second. ISAF reports, 'The Australians, Chris Nicholson and Gary Boyd, gave themselves a mountain to climb after picking up 360 penalties on both first beats today, and their scores of 17,18 have relegated last year’s Pre-Olympic Regatta winners to 15 overall.' The disappointing results today will make it difficult for the Aussies to medal – but not impossible. With a second drop to come in after race 11, consistently good performances can put them right back in the medal hunt. Yngling With a race to spare the gold medal in the Yngling class has been awarded to Shirley Robertson, Sarah Ayton and Sarah Webb (GBR). Robertson picked up her second gold medal having won the Europe class event in Sydney. 'The team sailed an almost impeccable series, only faltering once in their quest for consistency. They finished sixth in race eight, which was sailed yesterday, and it was looking to be their discard as a third in race nine left them needing to do the minimal amount in either of the final races to close the deal,' ISAF reported (www.sailing.org). Australia's Nicky Bethwaite (AIS/NSWIS), Karyn Gojnich (AIS/NSWIS) and Kristen Kosmala (AIS/NSWIS) had a 13th and a 10th today, to be placed 13th overall. The Yngling class will sail their final race on Saturday. Day Five - Europe (8 races/1 drop) 1. Siren SUNDBY (NOR) (1,3,(26-DSQ),1,19,4,4,1) 33pts Full list of Europe results here. Day Six - Finn (10 races/1 drop) 1. Ben AINSLIE (GBR) (9,(26-DSQ),1,1,4,1,2,3,2,1) 24pts Day Six - 470 Women (10 races/1 drop) 1. Sofia BEKATOROU/Emilia TSOULFA (GRE) (1,2,2,13,1,1,(14),1,1,2) 24pts Day Six - 470 Men (10 races/1 drop) 1. Paul FOERSTER/Kevin BURNHAM (USA) (1,8,2,15,9,4,3,7,(18),4) 53pts Day Five - Mistral Men (4 races) 1. Ricardo SANTOS (BRA) (4,6,2,1) 13pts Day Five - Mistral Women (5 races/1 drop) Day Five - Laser (8 races/1 drop) Day Four - 49er (6 races/1 drop) 1. Christoffer SUNDBY/Frode BOVIM (NOR) (1,3,9,(20-OCS),6,4) 23pts Full list of 49er results here. Day Six - Yngling (10 races/1 drop) Comprehensive results including competition status, daily results summary, and Jury protests can be found on the ISAF website.
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