49er wins Medal Race to finish 8th

Rolex Miami Olympic Classes Regatta has concluded for 2010, with New Zealand’s 49er crew taking the bullet, leading from start to finish in the 49er Medal Race sailed this morning.

The classy finish wasn’t enough to improve their overall position, and Peter Burling and Blair Tuke finish the regatta in 8th place.

Richard Burling, Peter’s father, spoke to the boys after racing finished. “They led the medal race from start to finish. Conditions were sloppy with 8-10 knots onshore.”

“They said they couldn't manipulate the French boat in 7th overall (who was 2nd in the medal race) because they couldn't afford for the Canadian boat in 9th to have a good result and pass them.”

“They are pretty happy with their speed and racing overall but disappointed with the BFD and OCS which cost them a better result.”

The young kiwis set themselves high standards, and over the course of this regatta have demonstrated that they can foot it with the best scoring three race wins including the high pressure medal race. They were second in another four races and finished inside the top five in half of the 16 races sailed.

Opening their international 49er campaign in Australia in December, Burling and Tuke recently won the 49er North American Championships, also sailed in Miami.

Burling and Tuke arrive back in New Zealand early Tuesday morning in time to take to the water off Kohimarama Yacht Club for ISAF Grade One Singapore Airlines Sail Auckland.

NZL Sailing Team Final Results
2010 Rolex Miami Olympic Classes Regatta
49er - Peter Burling & Blair Tuke – 8th (Total fleet 36)
Women’s Match-Racing – Samantha Osborne, Raynor Smeal and Jenna Hansen – 7th (Total fleet 23)
2.4 Metre – Joshua McKenzie-Brown – 19th (Total fleet 28)

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 European 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.