Olympics News from Across the Ditch: How the Aussies are Fairing in Qingdao

by Laura Baldwin

Current AUS Team Results:
1st - 49er
1st - 470 women
1st - 470 men
3rd - RS:X Women
3rd - Yngling
5th - Radial
17th - Finn
23rd - Laser

The Weather 12th August:
Wind: 4 to 9 knots
Temp: Min 24, Max 28C

470 Women’s Class Day Two – AUS 1st

The young Western Australian Team, Elise Rechichi and Tessa Parkinson burst out of the blocks and into the lead today scoring a 4th and 1st today. The 2007 Olympic Test Event winners are looking just as comfortable in these conditions one year on. Now posting nine points, they have an eight point lead on their closest rivals Spain (17 points), while The Netherlands are third (18 points). Racing continues tomorrow.

“Our aim is to be consistent - we sailed conservatively, did nothing extreme and got ourselves into a good position,” said Rechichi.

“We had good boat speed and we just, from now on, want to maintain our rhythm and enjoy sailing in these conditions.

“It’s still early but it is nice to get an early win.”

470 Women Top 3
1 - AUS - 9 points
2 - ESP - 17 points
3 - NED - 18 points

470 Men’s Class Day Two – AUS 1st

Three times 470 Class World Champions, Nathan Wilmot and Malcolm Page took the lead today after finishing 3rd in both races. This was especially impressive as they had a bad start in the second race and rounded mid fleet but sail with great speed and determination back into 3rd place. They now have 17 points and the French are just one point behind them and in third are the Spannish with 25 points. Racing continues tomorrow.

470 Men Top 3
1 - AUS - 17 points
2 - FRA - 18 points
3 - ESP - 25 points

RS:X Women’s Class Day Two – AUS 3rd

Jessica Crisp is in the best shape of her life at this, her third Olympic Games. Last year winning the Bronze at the Olympic Test Event and the World Championship making her a hot medal contender going into this event. After recording a 2nd and 8th today Jessica is sitting in 3rd place overall just two points off second. The Chinese windsurfer, Jian Yin is looking strong with a 9 point Cushion. The RS:X sailors get a rest day tomorrow.

RS:X Women Top 3
1 - CHN - 6 points
2 - ESP - 15 points
3 - AUS - 17 points

Laser Radial Day One – AUS 5th

The highest placed Australian sailor finishing 4th in Athens 2004 in the Europe Class, Sarah Blanck showed she has the speed to win by fighting back from deep first mark rounding positions to finish 6th and 11th to give her 17 points which places her 5th overnight. Leading the Laser Radial fleet is the 2007 Olympic Test Event Gold Medallist, Anna Tunnicliffe (USA) with 9 points with Beligum in second on 11 points and the current World Champion, France in third on 12 points. Racing continues tomorrow.

Laser Radial Top 3
1 - USA - 9 points
2 - BEL - 11 points
3 - FRA - 12 points
AUS - 5th - 17 points

Laser Day One – AUS 23rd

World Laser Number One Tom Slingsby has work to do tomorrow after finishes of 21st and 22nd (in a fleet of 43) put him 23rd overall on 43 points. However, Slingsby regularly fights back after setbacks and the regatta is far from over with eight races to go until the Laser medal race. New Zealand is leading on seven points, Italy is second (nine points) and Argentina is third (13 points). Racing continues tomorrow.

Laser Top 3
1 - NZL - 7 points
2 - ITA - 9 points
3 - ARG - 13 points
AUS - 23rd - 43 points

13th August Racing Schedule: Races start at 1pm (China time)
• Finn – Races 7 & 8
• Yngling - Races 7 & 8
• 49er - Races 7, 8 & 9
• 470 Women - Races 5 & 6
• 470 Men - Races 5 & 6
• Laser - Races 3 & 4
• Radial - Races 3 & 4

The Men's and Women's RS:X fleet have a rest day. The Tornado and Star fleets still have two more days until they kick off their competition on the 15th. In the mean time they are training and measuring their equipment.

Australian Sailing Team Newsletter