Issue date
The Rio 2016 Paralympic Sailing Regatta has just one day to go and the kiwi Sonar crew of Richard Dodson, Andrew May, and Chris Sharp is preparing to give it everything in a final push for the podium.
Australia’s Colin Harrison, Russell Boaden and Jonathan Harris have the gold medal sewn up with a race to spare, unbeatable on points, but behind them, there’s a handful of nations still in with a chance of a medal, including the kiwis.
Lying sixth overall with 49 points the New Zealanders are just five points adrift of Canada lying third on 44 points, with USA going into the last race in the silver medal position on 43 points.
Two Sonar races were sailed in Rio today on the Naval course. The kiwis placed 11th in the opener, then returned a 4th. Skipper, Richard Dodson talked after racing about the day;
“It ended up not bad,” he said. “We got a good start and we were probably coming 1st or 2nd in that first race and then the wind changed badly, and the tide went bad and we went from 1st to third to last – so that was no good.”
“In the other race, we got a decent start again and we ended up 4th which was alright.”
Dodson congratulated the Australian’s who have secured the gold medal, saying; “The Australians have won it which they deserve – they’ve been sailing well. Good on them. Now we have to fight it out for the minor places. ”
“The plan tomorrow is exactly the same as today – get a good start, and have fun and sail well.”
Andrew May spoke about his experience this week so far; “It has been a pretty tough week. Rio is a place that throws you curve balls at you constantly – you know we’ve had some pretty good races, and some good races that have turned bad on us, and we’ve had some bad races.”
“But, you know, the week has been pretty good. It has been a real challenge, a good bunch of people to sail with.”
“It is getting near the end of the week now and some of the medals have been decided. It is starting to sink in – this is the last time this event will be on in the Paralympics and we’re just taking up the atmosphere and enjoying the racing.”
“We’ve got one to go – you know, it’s pretty cool. I’m tired, but feeling pretty good.”
Speaking about what they need to do to get on the podium May said;
“Tomorrow, we need to win. We have to go out there and get across the line first and hope that everything falls into place behind us. We’re on the edge, so we’re a bit dependant on what happens to other people – but we’re definitely still there.”
Tomorrow the full 14 boat fleet will sail one final race following which the medals will be decided and presented.
Rio 2016 Paralympic Games
Sonar Event top six
1st AUS Colin Harrison, Russell Boaden and Jonathan Harris – 19 points
2nd USA Alphonsus Doerr, Hugh Freund and Bradley Kendell – 43 points
3rd CAN Paul Tingley, Logan Campbell and Scott Lutes – 44 points
4th NOR Aleksander Wang-Hansen, Marie Solberg and Per Eugen Kristiansen – 48 points
5th GRE Vasilis Christoforou, Anargyros Notaroglou and Thodoris Alexas – 49 points
6th NZL Richard Dodson, Andrew May and Chris Sharp – 49 points
Full results here: http://www.sailing.org/paralympics/rio2016/results/index.php
Rio 2016 Sonar Schedule
Monday 12 Sept – 2 races
Tuesday 13 Sept – 2 races
Wednesday 14 Sept – 2 races
Thursday 15 Sept – 2 races
Friday 16 Sept – 2 races
Saturday 17 Sept – 1 race
More here: http://www.sailing.org/paralympics/rio2016
Image © Richard Langdon
