49er into Medal Race at Miami OCR

Peter Burling and Blair Tuke will sail in the 49er Medal Race at Rolex Miami Olympic Classes Regatta 2010 on the last day of the regatta tomorrow. The ISAF Sailing world Cup event ends today for the NZL Sailing Team Women’s Match-Race crew; they have finished in 7th place among 23 boats.

The 49er duo goes into tomorrow’s medal race in 8th place having just completed three races today. A black flag in the second race of the day was a factor in their slip from 6th back to 8th place, and the pair is five points behind the French boat in 7th, but now thirty points back from 6th.

Assured of a top ten finish in this ISAF World Sailing Cup Regatta, a good race tomorrow could see them make up the gap to 7th. This, their first season in the 49er class, the young kiwis have already delivered some excellent race results during this regatta, demonstrating they have what it takes to win races.

Aussie rivals Nicki Souter and crew today defeated New Zealanders Samantha Osborne, Raynor Smeal and Jenna Hansen knocking them out of the quarter-finals in the Women’s match-racing. The kiwis went on to race off for a final position, beaten by Whitty from Australia, and then taking a win from Meldgaard of Denmark, they secured a final result of 7th overall

Racing in the 2.4 Metre class concluded today with New Zealand’s Joshua McKenzie-Brown finishing in 19th place in the 28-strong fleet.

The regatta website has full results, more news and images.

Singapore Airlines Sail Auckland 2010 kicks off next Thursday in Auckland with most of New Zealand’s Olympic class sailors entered for this ISAF Grade One event on home waters. Kohimarama Yacht Club hosts the event which features Olympic and Invited classes.

The next major international regatta to feature the members of the NZL Sailing Team is Trofeo SAR Princess Sofia Regatta on in Mallorca, Spain starting 27th March.

About the regatta:
From January 24 - 30, 2010, US SAILING's Rolex Miami OCR returns to the waters of Biscayne Bay, bringing together the world’s top Olympic and Paralympic class competitors. Marking the 21st running of the event, US SAILING's Rolex Miami OCR is a mainstay on the winter circuit for sailors who are campaigning for the next Olympic and Paralympic Games. The event is part of the ISAF Sailing World Cup, a world-class annual series for Olympic sailing.