Aussies on Top

For World Cup sailors Kieler Woche ended today with medal races in perfect conditions with two sailors, Moana Delle, RS:X and Paul Goodison, Laser getting the Kieler Woche trophy for finishing every race in first place. The interesting battles were where such dominance was not on display. The American battle for Laser Radial supremacy continued and, this time, it was Paige Railey that sailed the most consistent regatta counting only first and second place finishes. This gave her the gold medal and lifted her into a podium position on the ISAF Sailing World Cup standings. Anna Tunnicliffe finished the Medal Race in fourth to take the bronze medal and consolidate her position at the top of the standings.

In Women’s Match Racing, Katie Spithill elected to race Julie Bossard and made short work of the French team, with three straight wins taking her direct to the final. The other semi between Nicky Souter and Renee Goeneveld took a bit longer with Souter taking first blood and Groeneveld fighting back, but the next two went to Souter to set up an all Australian final, where closely matched teams took it to the wire. Souter took the first two wins and it looked like it might be all over, but Spithill fought back to win three in a row and take the title.  Spithill, Souter and Bossard are all new to the ISAF Sailing World Cup which is lead by Lucy MacGregor and her British team, the only one to have sailed at all three events to host match racing. Pic from OKExpress and more here.