Light conditions prove difficult for NZL sailors

Fortunes changed overnight after racing resumed in 4-6 knots of breeze at French Olympic Sailing Week in Hyeres, France. Many class favourites accumulated high scores, including Sara Winther, who slipped to second, and Andy Maloney, who is out of the top ten. However, four Kiwis remain in the Top Ten.

“It was a tough day here in Hyeres,” says Olympic Gold Medallist Tom Ashley. “I really struggled to get going, and finished my races in 7th and 16th. In both races I had good moments but made a few bad decisions and couldn't find much speed which made life tough.”

“On a positive note, I have a few ideas as to how I might get going a bit better. Hopefully conditions will be similar tomorrow and I will have another shot to see if I can make it work.”

Tom is now in fourth, on 26 points, and 13 behind the leader Shahar Zubari of Israel.

An 11th and a 16th saw Laser Radial sailor, Sara Winther, concede her narrow lead over the fleet to Sarah Steyaert of France, and Andy Maloney slipped to 18th in the Laser fleet, after three finishes that were well down the rankings. Josh Junior is now the top ranked NZL Sailing Team member in the Laser fleet, on 11th, with Michael Bullot in 12th, and Andrew Murdoch in 14th.

Former youth world champion Natalia Kosinska (pictured), recovering from a broken leg incurred in January, is New Zealand’s best performing sailor in the RS:X Women’s fleet, lying 24th. She has secured three top ten race finishes in the fleet of 70.

Dan Slater is in 9th place in the Finn class, where racing is dominated by Ben Ainslie. Paul Snow-Hanson and Jason Saunders are also placed 9th in the Men’s 470.

The Women’s Matchracing team, Stephanie Hazard, Jenna Hansen and Susannah Pyatt, won three races overnight in the Silver Round Robin series.

The Medal races will be staged on Friday 29th in front of the Hyères harbour jetty.

Standings after Day 4:

Men’s RS:X (90 entries)
Tom Ashley (NZL Sailing Team)-4th (26 points)
Jon-Paul Tobin (NZL Sailing Team) -11th (50 points)
Antonio Cozzolino-23rd (90 points)

Women’s RS:X (75 entries)
Natalia Kosinska-24th (97 points)
Justina Sellers-39th (96 points)
Stefanie Williams-48th (128 points)
Jazmine Lynch-55th (163 points)
Georgia Schofield-69th (207 points)

Laser (155 entries)
Josh Junior (NZL Sailing Team) -11th (81 points)
Mike Bullot (NZL Sailing Team)-12th (88 points)
Andrew Murdoch (NZL Sailing Team)-14th (97 points)
Andy Maloney (NZL Sailing Team) -18th (107 points)
Sam Meech (NZL Sailing Team) -56th (123 points)

Laser Radial (98 entries)
Sara Winther (NZL Sailing Team) -2nd (38 points)
Miranda Powrie-21st (95 points)
Rachel Basevi-42nd (163 points)

Finn (81 entries)
Dan Slater (NZL Sailing Team)-9th (51 points)
Matt Coutts-31st (101 points)

Men’s 470 (106 entries)
Paul Snow-Hansen and Jason Saunders (NZL Sailing Team) -9th (63 points)

Women’s Match Racing
Stephanie Hazard, Jenna Hansen and Susannah Pyatt (NZL Sailing Team)-Three wins in Silver round robins.

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