|
 |
Yachting Australia Corporate Partner
|
|
Yachting Australia
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Australia qualifies for Paralympics
Australia has qualified for the Beijing Paralympics in both the sailing classes, the three person Sonar, and the one person 2.4 Metre, with Jamie Dunross and his crew finishing fourth in the Sonars, and Aaron Hill 10th in the 2.4 Metres.
Dunross, who won gold crewing for Noel Robins at the 2000 Paralympics in Sydney, was disappointed not to make the podium, but was pleased to have ensured Australia's place in China.
Talking about the final day's racing he said, "the first race was good, but the last two races, I think I've just got to go back to starting school."
He praised his crew of Colin Harrison and Graeme Martin, "the crew work was great, they were magnificent, but I think the skipper needs to learn how to start."
Aaron Smith of Metung Yacht Club had a good final day in the 2.4 Metres, finishing fourth, sixth and third equal, but bad results earlier in the series kept him out of single figures.
Top honours at the event were shared equally by the British and German teams, with Britain's John Robertson, Hannah Stodel and Stephen Thomas winning the Sonar class, from Germany's Jens Kroker and crew.
In the 2.4 Metres it was the other way around, with German skipper Heiko Kroeger the winner, ahead of Britain's Helena Lucas, while the Norwegians took third place in both classes.
Robertson and his crew made it look easy on the final day, increasing their advantage in each of the three races sailed, while on the 2.4 Metre course, the outcome was in doubt until the final race was done.
The English skipper said his coach had told him in the morning, "to just relax and enjoy it, and we did."
For Heiko Kroeger, this was a return to the top spot, having won the championship six times before, but only finishing second last year, "so it's nice to be the champion again," he commented.
RESULTS: After 10 races, 8 to count. - provisional.
Sonars
1. John Robertson/Stodel/Thomas GBR 15pts
2. Jens Kroker/Schoenberg/Schuetz GER 27pts
3. Jostein Stordahl/Hansen/Kristiansen NOR 27pts
4. Jamie Dunross/Harrison/Martin AUS 31pts
8. Peter Thomson/Conder/Astwood AUS 60pts
13. Stephen Churm/Power/Cull AUS 90pts
2.4 Metres
1. Heiko Kroeger GER 17pts
2. Helena Lucas GBR 20.5pts
3. Bjornar Erikstad NOR 30pts
10. Aaron Hill AUS 57.5pts
16. Rachael Cox AUS 121pts
19. Maryanne Ireland AUS 153pts
| Other Links | |
| Event website | |
