Spain captures 49er World Championship Title

Iker Martinez and Xabi Fernandez of Spain held onto their two-day lead to capture the 2002 49er World Championship regatta, which concluded today in Kaneohe Bay. They finished the 10-race Final Series with a total score of 32, after two discards, and earn

Also earning a berth was Great Britain, which took second and third places with the teams of Chris Draper/ Simon Hiscocks and Paul Brotherton/Mark Asquith finishing with scores of 40 and 45 points, respectively.

Also qualifying their countries for the 2004 Olympics were ISAF top world ranked Rodion Luka and George Leonchuk (Ukraine); Pietro and Gianfranco Sibello (Italy); Michael Hestbaek and Rasmus Van Hansen (Denmark); and Pieter Lantermans and Pim Nieuwenhuis (Netherlands).

Morgan Larson and Ed Smyth were the first U.S. team to finish, completing the series in 10th place and missing Olympic qualification by one place. The 2001 49er World Champions, Jonathan and Charlie McKee (USA), finished in 14th place.

There are still two more qualifier events prior to the 2004 Games: the 2003 World Championship and the 2004 event.

Gold Fleet Final Series results:

Top 10 Finishers – Total points after 10 races with 2 discards

Iker MARTINEZ/Xabi FERNANDEZ (ESP) 32 pts
Chris DRAPER/Simon HISCOCKS (GBR) 40 pts
Paul BROTHERTON/Mark ASQUITH (GBR) 45 pts
Santi LOPEZ-VAZQUEZ/Javier DE LA PLAZA (ESP) 52 pts
Rodion LUKA/George LEONCHUK (UKR) 58 pts
Pietro SIBELLO/Gianfranco SIBELLO (ITA) 62 pts
Alistair RICHARSON/Pete GREENHALGH (GBR) 63
Michael HESTBAEK/Rasmus VAN HANSEN (DEN) 69 pts
Pieter LANTERMANS/Pim NIEUWENHUIS (NED) 70 pts
Morgan LARSON/Ed SMYTH (USA) 73 pts