Maloney and Meech win 49er FX in Melbourne

Image by Sail Melbourne

The young New Zealand crew of Alexandra Maloney and Molly Meech has taken out the 49erFX skiff at the 2012-2013 ISAF Sailing World Cup series opener (Sail Melbourne), just wrapped up today.

Making its entrance into the ISAF Sailing World Cup Series in Melbourne this week, the 49er FX is the women’s skiff class that will debut as an Olympic event in Rio 2016.  

Up against some quality Australian crews including Olivia Price, (Olympic Silver medallist in the Women’s keelboat at the London Games this year), the kiwi victory is an exciting performance which bodes well.

Both have represented New Zealand at the ISAF Youth World Championships, Maloney winning a silver medal in 2010 sailing the 29er. The pair has been eyeing the skiff class event since its inclusion in the Olympic Games was announced, and they travelled to Santander, Spain in March this year to take part in trials to determine which boat would be given the nod for the Olympic event.

Their victory in Melbourne this week has been convincing – they concluded the twelve race series with an eight point margin over nearest rivals Tessa Parkinson and Kate Lathouras of Australia. Maloney and Meech only finished outside the top three in one race and rounded out the regatta in style with a medal race victory today.

A solid contingent of New Zealand sailors crossed the Tasman for 2012 Sail Melbourne; results for all kiwi sailors are just below.

2012 ISAF Sailing World Cup / Melbourne (Sail Melbourne)
New Zealand’s Results

49er FX Open
1^st Alexandra Maloney and Molly Meech

470 Men
7^th James Turner and Carl Evans

Laser Radial
7^th Susannah Pyatt
14^th Laura Lowther

Laser

6^th Thomas Saunders
14^th Andrew McKenzie
15^th Michael Cate
21^st George Lane
23^rd Sam McKenzie
24^th Jack Collinson

Kite Men

2^nd Torrin Bright
17^th Craig Roberts
28^th Brad Walker

Finn

5^th Rob Coutts

Viper

4^th Gemma Jones and Luke Stevenson
7^th Miranda Powrie and Mark Stichbury-Cooper  

Laser Radial Men

6^th Cullen Le Roy
18^th Jacob Miller

For more information visit the regatta website or contact:

Jodie Bakewell-White
Yachting New Zealand Communications Manager
Tel. 021 709 065
Email Jodie