Issue date
Andrew Murdoch (pictured) has secured his first medal at a major international Finn regatta with bronze at the 2013 Finn European Championship just finished in Warnemunde, Germany. New Zealand boasts two top five finishers at the Championship with Josh Junior concluding the regatta in 5th place.
Gemma Jones and Jason Saunders have finished 9th at the inaugural 2013 Nacra 17 World Championship sailed at The Hague, Netherlands which has also just finished.
Wind failed to show in both Warnemunde and The Hague on the final day cancelling all racing after plenty of watching and waiting. The medals and final results have, in effect been decided on the overall standings at the end of the penultimate day.
2013 Finn European Championship
At the Finn European Championship a total of eight races have been sailed where the entire fleet of 103 boats raced together. The six day series has faced light, challenging conditions and no racing was possible on either the opening or final day of the regatta.
Two-time Olympian in the Laser class Andrew Murdoch (Kerikeri Cruising Club) announced his move to the heavy-weight single-hander earlier this year and in what is just his third major international in the class he has come away with today’s podium finish.
Before now the 31 year-olds best result in the Finn was a 7th at ISAF Sailing World Cup, Palma earlier this year. He is delighted.
“Pretty stoked to have just picked up Bronze at the Finn European Championship here in Germany,” says Murdoch. “I have a couple of travel days (days off) now to Estonia where I'll begin preparing for the World Champs which start late August.”
23 year old Josh Junior has finished 5th after an excellent regatta. Today’s cancellation denied Junior his shot at ousting team-mate Murdoch for the bronze – a distinct possibility based on the points proximity.
Junior, who grew up sailing at the Worser Bay Boating Club in Wellington, medalled at ISAF Sailing World Cup, Hyeres earlier this year and the young campaigner will now turn his focus to the up-coming World Championships.
Vasilij Zbogar (SLO) was the deserving winner of the overall title with Ed Wright (GBR) winning the silver medal.
The Finn fleet will come together again around one month from now in Tallinn, Estonia for the 2013 Finn Gold Cup to decide the 2013 Finn World Champion.
New Zealand’s final results…
2013 Finn European Championship, Warnemunde, Germany
3rd Andrew Murdoch
5th Josh Junior
Full results here
Image by Robert Deaves/Finn Class Association
For more information contact:
Jodie Bakewell-White
Yachting New Zealand Communications Manager
M: 021 709 065
E: jodie@yachtingnz.org.nz
