Australia Strong On First Day Of 29er Worlds

With four races away, the West Australians had a blinder, winning three of their group's four races, finishing fourth in the fourth race. However, due to the number of entries, competitors are sailing in four groups in the qualifying rounds, and Denmark's Henrik SOGAARD and Soren KRISTENSEN are in second place on equal points with the Aussies after 1,3,1,2 results.

James PETERS and Ed FITZGERALD (GBR) are in third place, just a point in deficit, with another Danish crew, and the first female skipper, Katrine ANDERSEN and crew Rie LUXHOI in fourth place and a second Brit crew Bleddyn MON and Tom HUMPHREYS fifth, just one point away from the Danes.

With 67 Australian entries representing over half of the 102 boat fleet, it is no surprise to find Aussies filling out the next three places.

Nick PEATE and Rhys MARA, Joe ROSE and Jamie WOODS and Byron WHITE and William RYAN are sixth, seventh and eighth respectively.

Four 29er groups raced on two courses starting just after 10:00 this morning. Like the 49ers, they faced 15 knot northeasterly breezes which faded as the day went on.

The qualifying rounds of the Sail Melbourne event continue tomorrow off Sorrento, with a further four races on windward and leeward courses planned.

Results are provisional pending any protests.

Sail Melbourne - www.sailmelbourne.com.au
Results - www.yachting.org.au/site/yachting/event/14245/