Issue date
The 2013 49er and 49erFX World Championships continued in Marseille, France, with New Zealand crews now sitting in 3rd and 4th in the 49er and in 10th in the 49erFX.
Despite light and tricky sailing conditions of only four to five knots on day two of the six day regatta Peter Burling and Blair Tuke managed consistency across all three races sailed to lift their overall standing up to 4th drawing equal on points to team-mates Marcus Hansen and Josh Porebski who also produced three solid results.
With 95 boats contesting the 49er World Championship they’ve been split into three fleets for qualifying rounds. Today Burling and Tuke placed 4th, 3rd and 1st in their three races, Hansen and Porebski were 3rd, 7th and 9th both the kiwi crews on 12 points with Brits Fletcher and Sign leading on six points and Danes Warrer and Lang in 2nd overall on 11 points.
Coach Hamish Willcox says; “So it was a great day for the Kiwis here in Marseille!”
“Again a similar pattern to yesterday with the boats that were able to get left winning the races. There was always more wind on the left side and always more wind on the other courses closer to the left shore.”
“Both Pete and Blair and Marcus and Josh were on course area A which is further north and this meant less wind. Also the day started cloudy and burned off late. Finally the swell was back and this reflected onto the course from round the bays shorelines.”
Now that five races have been completed the regatta progresses to semi-finals where the top forty boats are split evenly into two groups for tomorrow following which those placed in the top twenty qualify for the finals phase featuring shorter twenty minute races.
The 53 strong women’s fleet sailing for the 49er FX world title recorded just one race result today after interruptions due to the light winds. Alex Maloney and Molly Meech placed 9th and improved their overall standing from 14th up to 10th place.
Racing runs for six days with the world titles for the Olympic skiff classes set to be decided on Sunday 29th September.
49er and 49erFX World Championships
New Zealand’s standings after day two
Men’s 49er -95 boats
3rd Marcus Hansen and Josh Porebski (NZL Sailing Team) – 12 points
4th Peter Burling and Blair Tuke (NZL Sailing Team) – 12 points
52nd Ben Goodwin and Sam Bullock – 56 points
Women’s 49erFX – 53 boats
10th Alex Maloney and Molly Meech – 26 points
28th Erica Dawson and Ellie Copeland – 42 points
Links:
Regatta website
Event Schedule, Overview and Media Coverage information
Yachting New Zealand website
NZL Sailing Team on Facebook
NZL Sailing Team sailor profiles
About the NZL Sailing Team
NZL Sailing Team includes New Zealand’s top Olympic campaigners who share the ultimate goal to win Olympic medals for New Zealand at the Rio Games in 2016.
NZL Sailing Team sailors all started out at grass roots yacht clubs around the country and with commitment, dedication and drive have risen to be world class athletes; they work hard in the gym, train long hours on the water and are supported by great coaches.
For more information contact
Jodie Bakewell-White
Communications Manager, Yachting New Zealand
E. jodie@yachtingnz.org.nz
M. 021 709 065
