SOF Hyeres Regatta medal races tonight
Andrew Murdoch is in 2nd place going into tonight’s medal race at ISAF Grade one French Olympic Sailing Week in Hyeres. New Zealand has also made it to the medal race in the Laser Radial and the 470 Men’s.
After three days of strong winds at the outset of the regatta, the last two days have been light and shifty meaning sailors have had a wide range of conditions to deal with. All that remains to decide the winners for this event is the medal race to be sailed overnight tonight in France.
LASER
After starting the day in the top spot Andrew Murdoch was 11th and 15th on the water last night which allowed Canadian Michael Leigh to sneak back into the lead with just two points separating the two.
Behind Murdoch there’s a 15 point gap back to Johan Wigforss of Sweden lying 3rd, but as results in the medal race are doubled, the pressure is still on the kiwi to sail well in this final race.
LASER RADIAL
Jo aleh has made yet another gain on the leader board overnight lifting from 6th place up to 5th place going into the final day. Most of the Radial sailors suffered from at least one poor result last night in the tricky conditions and with a 3rd and a 21st Aleh improved her standing.
For Aleh to improve further she will need things to really go her way in tonight’s medal race as she is 13 points back from 4th place. Sarah Blanck of Australia looks to have her sights set on the gold and is out in front with an impressive 18 point buffer over her nearest rival. For
FINN
Dan Slater has missed out on a spot in the Finn medal race unable to climb up from 11th for a place in the top ten. He was 14th and then 20th in the two races sailed last night and concludes the regatta in 12th place.
“Although I’m really disappointed with the result, I am still happy with all my equipment and speed and I really have nothing to blame except myself for my result,” said Slater after racing. “I am looking forward to getting stuck into a bit
of training over the next week before the Europeans start on the 5th May in Tuscany, Italy.”
470 MEN’S
Youngsters Carl Evans and Peter Burling continue to impress in the 470 and will be in the medal race starting line tonight. They are currently in 6th place overall having moved up one place after a 13th and a 5th on the water last night.
TORNADO
Tornado pair Aaron McIntosh and Mark Kennedy have missed out on the medal race in their class and wrap up the event in 16th place overall in the 21 boat fleet.
French Olympic Sailing Week (Semaine Olympique Francaise)
New Zealand’s current standings
Laser (149 boats)
Andrew Murdoch – 2nd
470 Men (73 boats)
Carl Evans & Peter Burling – 6th
Laser Radial (78 boats)
Jo Aleh – 5th
Finn (55 boats)
Dan Slater – 12th
Tornado (21 boats)
Aaron McIntosh & Mark Kennedy – 16th
RS:X Women (59 boards)
Steffanie Williams – 29th
Kate Ellingham – 30th
RS:X Men (92 boards)
Mike Kilduff – 74th