Two kiwis make Laser Medal Race in France

Two kiwis have made the top ten in the 150 boat Laser fleet at Semaine Olympique Francaise Regatta 2009 drawing to a conclusion in Hyeres, France. Both James Sandall and Josh Junior will start in tonight’s double points medal race, lying 4th and 5th respectively.

James Sandall of Wairoa Yacht Club on the North Island’s East Coast made a huge leap up the leader board after last night’s two races which rounded out the final qualifying series of ten races. Sandall, who was sitting in 11th after race eight had his best day of racing so far placing 2nd and then 7th and rocketing up to 4th place putting him within shooting range of the podium, just three points back from the Russian sailor in 3rd place.

Josh Junior from Worser Bay Boating Club, Wellington was 29th and then 11th in racing overnight which saw him slip from 4th to 5th place. Points are tight however, and Junior is just two points adrift of his team mate in 4th.

The regatta, which is the fourth of seven regattas in the inaugural ISAF Sailing World Cup series, concludes tonight in France with just the medal races remaining

Links...
Latest ISAF report http://www.sailing.org/28068.php  
Regatta Website http://sof.ffvoile.net/  
Josh Junior’s Website http://www.jjsailing.com/  

New Zealand’s Current Standings after ten races

Laser (140 boats)
James Sandall 4th
Josh Junior 5th
Mike Bullot 25th
Andy Maloney 29th
Matt Coutts 47th
Sam Meech 48th
Blair McLay 74th

Laser Radial (54 boats)
Sara Winther 20th

Women’s RS:X (32 boards)
Justina Sellers 24th