Third place for NZL Match Racers in Korea
With Stephanie Hazard at the helm the NZL Sailing Team’s Women’s Match Racing crew have placed third among tough competition at the 2010 Busan Women’s International Match Race Championships.
The five day regatta, sailed in the Korea 30 fleet of yachts by a crew of five women, has just concluded in Korea. Normally at the helm of the Olympic 470, Jo Aleh joined the crew for this event.
The kiwi team made up of Stephanie Hazard and her crew Jenna Hansen, Susannah Pyatt, Jo Aleh and Raynor Smeal defeated Lucy Macgregor (GBR) and her team (Annie Lush, Jody Slater, Josie Gibson, and Ally Martin) 2-0 in the Petit-Finals to finish third overall. A total of twelve world class teams from around the globe were in Korea for the event.
New Zealand’s semi-final opponent, Claire Leroy of France and crew, went on to take the overall win overcoming Katie Spithill (AUS) and her crew in the final.
“This is great result for our young girls who have finished ahead of some big name sailors,” says Jez Fanstone, Yachting New Zealand’s Olympic Programme Manager. “They put up a good challenge for Leroy in the semis, and have shown great adaptability to come away with a podium result in an unfamiliar venue and different boat.”
An informal social race followed the finals on the last day of competition, and the NZL Sailing Team finished on a high note with a win. “Our 470 star, Jo Aleh, took the helm and the crew mixed up the positions. We had an outstanding lead to take first place and a cosmetic pack,” report the girls.
The team will head back to NZL later this week to continue with the Olympic training.
Final Overall Results:
1) Claire Leroy (FRA)
2) Katie Spithill (AUS)
3) Stephanie Hazard (NZL)
4) Lucy Macgregor (GBR)
5) Cristiana Monina (ITA)
6) Ekaterina Kutovaya (RUS)
7) Camilla Ulrikkeholm (DEN)
8) Sally Barkow (USA)
9) Urara Fuji (JPN)
10) Ru Wang (CHN)
11) Camilla Marino (ITA)
12) Hawen Lim (KOR)
For complete results and photos, please visit the event website: http://www.busanmatch.com