Media Release
For immediate release
18 September 2003
Sailing to qualify the nation for the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Australia’s Mistral sailors continue to produce top results at the 2003 ISAF Sailing World Championship in Cadiz, Spain.
The Mistral sailors completed the final qualifying section of their world championship, with four Australian’s through to the gold fleet.
Strong winds on the Mistral women’s course, favoured Allison Shreeve (NSWIS) who produced her best results of the championship. Shreeve advances up the points table to 2nd overall, after a 2nd in race five, followed by a bullet in the race six.
Shreeve said she is very happy with the way she is sailing, ‘Good starts picking the layline and shifts have all helped. I''''m looking forward to the rest of the competition.’
Australian Mistral Coach Brendan Todd added, ‘Allison has the confidence to sail away from the fleet in heavy conditions- winds were 25-28 knots during the women''''s races the strongest of any day for their fleet. She has shown great improvement during the past 12 months and is now reaping the rewards.’
Jessica Crisp (NSWIS) is still in contention for a podium finish, sitting in 8th place overall following a difficult day in the very windy conditions. Lighter conditions are forecast for later in the series, which could suit Crisp’s style of racing.
A strong day for Lars Kleppich (NSWIS) tallying two 8th places, moving him into 20th overall despite his OCS (on course side) yesterday. Michael Lancey (NSW) is also in the gold fleet despite a day marred by a ripped sail.
The Mistral sailors will have a rest day tonight (EST), followed by five races to conclude their championship.
In the Star class, Colin Beashel (AIS/NSWIS) and David Giles (AIS/NSWIS) showed true fighting spirit, after yesterday’s equipment failure, winning the first race of the day and achieving a 4th in their second race.
‘It was a pleasing result after the disappointment of yesterday,’ commented Australian Star coach, Dayne Sharp.
‘Colin led all the way in the first race and came from 6th to finish 4th in the second. We just need to chip away to continue the improvement in the overall position. We look forward to the challenge ahead.’
The other Australian Star sailors finished with mid fleet results in both races. Iain Murray (NSW) and crew Andrew Palfrey (VIC) are placed 26th overall and Ian Walker (VIC) and crew Nick Williams (VIC) 42nd.
Beashel and Giles, as well as the other Star sailors will be feeling the pressure to maintain consistency, as a top finish is needed to ensure Australia qualifies in the Star class for the Olympic Games. All three crews are currently placed to qualify for the gold fleet, with one race remaining in the qualification series.
The Europe class will sail in their final race tonight (EST), with Siren Sundby from Norway already securing the title. Reigning Europe World Champion Sarah Blanck (AIS/VIS) is currently placed 20th.
A good start to the championship for Finn sailor Anthony Nossiter (NSWIS), with a 6th and 20th on day one. Nossiter will be hoping to improve his 7th position as the qualification series continues. Tonight (EST), the Finns enter their second day of competition.
The 470''''s, Laser, 49ers and Tornado classes start their qualifying races tonight (EST) whilst the Yngling fleet begin their final series.
Results:
Mistral Women – Day three racing (6 races)
1. Lee Korsitz ISR (1,4,3,6,1,32) 15pts
2. Allison Shreeve AUS (24,14,4,2,2,1) 23pts
3. Faustine Merret FRA (3,27,10,1,6,6) 26pts
8. Jessica Crisp AUS (4,10,1,10,29,11) 36pts
Finn – Day One racing
- Sebastien Godefroid BEL (2,1) 3pts
- David Burrows IRL (5,2) 7pts
- Jona Hoegh-Christensen DEN (4,3) 7pts
7. Anthony Nossiter AUS (6,20) 26pts
39. Paul McKenzie AUS (56,26) 82pts
75. John Shallvey AUS (71,72) 143pts
76. Dean McAullay AUS (75,69) 144pts
Europe – Day five racing/day two finals (10 races)
1. Siren Sundby NOR (1,1,3,5,2,3,14,1,23,1) 31pts
2. Lenka Smidova CZE (2,8,5,8,3,4,7,10,OCS,7) 54pts
3. Sari Multala FIN (1,1,2,1,33,53,1,15,1,6) 61pts
20. Sarah Blanck AUS (11,18, DNC,23,12,12,10,29,8,31) 154pts
88. Clare Hozack AUS (38,42,44,43,DNE,26,14,38,19,37) 316pts
Mistral Men – Day three racing (6 races)
1. Przemek Miarczynski POL (1,1,1,8,1,1) 5pts
2. Julien Bontemps FRA (1,2,7,3,2,16) 15pts
3. Joao Rodgrigues POR (4,3,3,1,4,11) 15pts
20. Lars Kleppich AUS (13,9,17,OCS,8,8) 55pts
42. Michael Lancey AUS (21,20,18,24,17,37) 100pts
85. Jonothan Bonnitcha AUS (36,37,50,47,42,30) 191pts
94. Corey Plant AUS (46,46,37,40,49,41) 210pts
Star – Day three racing (5 races)
1. Iain Percy/Steven Mitchell GBR (13,1,1,2,1) 5pts
2. Xavier Rohart/Pascal Rembeau FRA (1,2,5,2,3) 8pts
2. Fracesco Bruni/Guido Vigna ITA (1,2,4,3,OCS) 10pts
26. Iain Murray/Andrew Palfrey AUS (16,13,8,15,22) 52pts
28. Colin Beashel/David Giles AUS (9,DNC,DNC,1,4) 57pts
42. Ian Walker/Nick Williams AUS (OCS,10,16,16,26) 68pts
70. Michael Jones/Bill Sykes AUS (34,25,31,37,38) 127pts
Yngling – Results as Day three racing/reserve day (6 races)
1. Ulrike Scheumann/Wibke Buelle/Winnie Lippert GER (15,27,1,1,13,2) 32pts
2. Hannah Swett/Joan Touchette/Melissa Purdy USA (16,12,2,7,1,10) 32pts
3. Jody Swanson/Cory Sertl/Elizabeth Kratzig USA (3,1,11,16,7,11) 33pts
9. Melanie Dennison/Caroline Aders/Fiona Herbert AUS (6,20,4,13,26,7) 50pts
16.Nicky Bethwaite/Kristen Kosmala/Katie Hage AUS (11,11,18,14,25,19) 73pts
41. Patricia Warn/Margaret Morgan/Joyce Warn AUS (41,41,DNC,DNC,39,39) 202pts
Visit the website for all the latest information on the event http://www.cadizworlds2003.com
For more information please contact:
Simone Green
, Media and PR Co-Ordinator, Yachting AustraliaPhone: (02) 9902 2155
Mobile: 0402 278 178
Email: simone.green@yachting.org.au