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14 March 2005, 09:15 am

Australians Take The Lead

Flying Fifteen World Championships 2005

Auckland, New Zealand

Nick and Janet JERWOOD (AUS) lead the Flying Fifteen World Championship after three races in Auckland, New Zealand. Close behind the Australians are two British teams who will be looking to restore their early lead.

Sunday's racing did not get underway until close to 1700 local New Zealand time and consequently only one race was completed. After one general recall the fleet started cleanly on a relatively short windward, leeward, triangle, finish course in an average seven-eight knots of wind from 355 degrees.

Yesterday line honours went to Australians Graeme LILLINGSTON and Edmond REPSEVICIUS making a marked improvement on their tenth place in race one to put them fourth on the leaderboard after two races. Second place was taken by Alax BAX and Paul BUSBY (GBR) and Greg WELLS and David TULLOCH (GBR) took third place. Charles APTHORP and Alan GREEN (GBR) held the lead overnight with an impressive 1-5 start.

On Monday in race three Nick and Janet JERWOOD (AUS) took first place to climb to the top of the leaderboard. LILLINGSTON and REPSEVICIUS had a tough race finishing 19th, dropping them to sixth on the leaderboard. After a disappointing 23rd position in race two Steve GOACHER and Phil EVANS (GBR) came back strongly to finish second and move up to ninth overall.

BAX and BUSBY maintained their challenge at the top with a ninth place keeping them second overall. While overnight leaders APTHORP and GREEN fell to third overall after they crossed the line in 13th place.

A change of schedule to allow two races on day three looked good on paper but the golden weather has continued and the wind did not fill in until very late this afternoon. At the time of writing the fleet had started after four general recalls, but are not expected to be back at the Yacht Club until well after 1900.

Tuesday is a scheduled reserve day, but given the lack of wind in the last two days it is possible there will be racing. The race committee will make a decision on this after the completion of today's sailing.

Results

Pos	Nation	Helm	Crew	R1	R2	R3	Pts
1	AUS	Nick JERWOOD	Janet JERWOOD	3	7	1	11
2	GBR	Alan BAX	Paul BUSBY	6	2	9	17
3	GBR	Charles APTHORP	Alan GREEN	1	5	13	19
4	IRL	Darren MARTIN	Simon MURRAY	2	15	3	20
5	IRL	Sean CRAIG	Ben MULLIGAN	5	8	15	28
6	AUS	Graeme LILLINGSTON	Edmond REPSEVICIUS	10	1	19	30
7	GBR	David McKEE	Chris HEWKIN	7	4	20	31
8	NZL	Aaron GOODMANSON	Auster ROWLANDS	17	9	6	32
9	GBR	Steve GOACHER	Phil EVANS	8	23	2	33
10	NZL	Guy DAWSON	Michael MORRIS	20	12	5	37