The 29er World Championship took a turn today as the 102-strong international fleet was divided into gold, silver, bronze and emerald groups for the final series and a new overall leader emerged.
The eventual winner will be decided from the top 25 sailing in the Gold group.
Annemiek BEKKERING and
Jeske KISTERS from the Netherlands took the lead of the championship today after four races.
The Dutch pair showed superb skill on the hugely shifty and fluky course to come into their own to day with 2,1,11,2 results in races 1 to 4. Their six point lead over nearest rivals,
James PETERS and
Ed FITZGERALD (GBR) is well deserved.
The British boys 12,4,5,10 results reflect the conditions on the course, where breezes ranged anywhere from 3-12 knots, with many holes on the course, it was a case of paying attention and experience.
Steven THOMAS and
Jasper WARREN (AUS), who have twice been at the top of the leaderboard, dropped to third place today following 16,12,4,3 results. They are one point behind the British duo.
Alexandra MALONEY and Blair TUKE (NZL) have lifted today and are now fourth overall, counting a win in race 4 of the final series.
Racing continues at the Sail Melbourne event tomorrow. Hosted by Sorrento Couta Sailing Boat Club, racing concludes on Wednesday afternoon when the championship winner will be announced.
Results are provisional pending protests.
Sail Melbourne - www.sailmelbourne.com.au
Results - www.yachting.org.au/site/yachting/event/14245/
