Making moves
After two races, New Zealand is currently placed second in the Men’s 470 division, one point behind first-placed Australia.
29 July 2021
Advertisement
New Zealand’s Paul Snow-Hansen and Dan Willcox opened their campaign in the Men’s 470 impressively, banking scores of six and two in the 15-knot winds and big waves to sit second overall.
Currently in first place by a point are Australia’s Matt Belcher and Will Ryan.
“We were talking when we saw the forecast this morning that today would be a great showcase for the 470 with a bit of breeze and some waves,” said Wilcox.
“That was champagne conditions for the 470s.”
Snow-Hansen added, “It was just fun to get out there. My legs are sore from hiking, and it felt like we got churned around. This is our last regatta together, so that was pretty cool.”
In 2019, the World Sailing Council confirmed that the 470 race will become a mixed category from the 2024 Paris Olympics and onwards.
Advertisement
New Zealand’s Peter Burling and Blair Tuke continued the positive positioning of Oceania’s sailing representatives, finishing in eighth overall in the Men’s 49er.
Australia’s Sam and Will Phillips are currently in third place overall in the same category.
“We fought away and sailed quietly smartly to be in the front few in most of the races,” Tuke said.
“It was a little bit of a tough start for us yesterday, but we knew it was going to be a fight coming here, and we are right up for it.”
Alex Maloney and Molly Meech also finished in ninth overall in the 49erFX, two places ahead of Australia. Josh Junior is situated one position ahead of Jake Lilley in the Finn division at eighth place.
In their Olympic debut, Micah Wilkinson and Erica Dawson are currently sitting 12th overall in the Nacra 17.
Australia’s Jason Waterhouse & Lisa Darmanin are currently third in the same division.
Full results of the competition so far are available to be seen here, while every upcoming Olympic sailing race is available to watch live via 7Plus.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
