No Racing On Final Day

Time ticked slowly for some and fast for others as the 15.00hrs deadline approached here in Zadar for the final day in the 2004 470 World Championship and final Olympic Qualification Regatta.

Race officials left the club in pouring rain this morning to be completely ready for any chance of a start in the penultimate race of the championship. Teams readying themselves for either a contest or packing up which ever came first.

In the end the clock won and at 14.15hrs local , AP over A was raised to signify the end of possible racing for the Championship. For the Australians, Nathan WILMOT and Malcolm PAGE it a dream come true, as it is so for the Swedes Therese TORGERSSON & Vendela ZACHRISSON. Nathan and Malcolm follow the lead of 2000 Gold Medallist Tom King who won the corresponding World Championship leading up to the Sydney games.

The women’s championship was one of the closest for many years with the top 3 boats finishing within 3 points of one another. The Swedes grabing the overall lead from the Slovenians Dekleva/Maucec courtesy of the last race win.

The Australians sailed a faultless Saturday, consolidating when possible, risking when required and a 2, 1 & 3 for the day took the lead from Johan MOLUND , and Martin ANDERSSON by 7 points

In the Olympic Qualification stakes, there is no prouder sailor today than young turkish sailor Selim KAKIS , who with his crew Ozegoneng KAAK qualified Turkey for Athens. Selim joins his Father who was a Finn sailor in the ’64 Games and his Brother who competed in the Windsurfing event in 1988.

Subject to ISAF ratification it is expected that , in the Women: the USA, Argentina, Canada, Brazil and Italy will gain nomination and in the Men : Turkey, Poland, Belarus, Hungary, Austria and Canada.

Teams now take a few days well earned rest before contesting the last of the major Championships before the Olympic regatta, the European Championships in Warnemunder Germany.

Wonderful news has come through that 4 time world Champion and 2002 ISAF Rolex World Sailor Of The Year Sofia BEKATOROU has been released from Hospital after successful surgery this week to correct a suspected disk compression. The Greek champion has been released to bed rest at home before starting intensive Pysiotherapy and doctors has advised that she should be able to resume ‘On-Boat’ training in less than a months.

Full results from Croatia Are Available on the event website at the address below.

Overall Top Ten

Men

Women