The final day of Sail Auckland 2012 was plagued by light winds and extremely shifty conditions.

There were no races completed today in the 470, 420, Laser, Laser Radial and Finn, so final results in those divisions are the ones that remain from yesterday. The RS:X, SKUD 18 and 2.4mR were the lucky three classes to finish both of their races as scheduled, and the 29er and 49er skiffs had just one.

“It was a beautiful day for doing anything outside- except sailing” Blair Tuke said after coming in from his single 49er race with sailing partner Peter Burling. “They had to shorten our race by one lap so we could finish, there was only between one and four knots of wind”.

Peter and Blair are two of the twelve NZL Sailing Team sailors that have been selected to represent the country at the London 2012 Olympics. Although they were only racing against one other boat in this regatta, the time back on the water proved valuable.

“It took us a while to get back into racing. The choppy water of the long weekend was a bit different than what we’re used to” Peter said. “The weekend was really shifty and testing conditions for us, and it was good to see all the international competitors here, even though they weren’t in our fleet”.

All of New Zealand’s selected Olympic representatives for the London 2012 games finished first in their respective fleets.

As it was all week, racing in the RS:X 8.5 was extremely competitive on its final day. Australia’s Jessica Crisp demonstrated her experience and fitness, winning both of the races on Tuesday. Jannicke Stalstrom of Norway was hanging around the top five all week, but finally pushed through with two good results to finish the regatta in third, tied in overall points with Kohimarama Yacht Club’s Steffanie Williams in second.

In the Men’s RS:X 9.5 fleet, World Champion Dorian Van Rijsselberghe also showed his class by finishing up the regatta with two first place finishes today to leave him second overall. Regatta leader from the previous three days, Richard Stauffacher, had an OCS result (over the start line early) which sadly bumped him back to third overall. Tae Hoon Lee of Korea has won the RS:X 9.5 by just one point over Dorian.

Paul Francis of the Takapuna Boating Club won the final two races of the Paralympic 2.4mR class, and with this finished as top boat in that division. Paul Francis is one of the two sailors (the other is Brett Willcock of Charteris Bay, Canterbury) campaigning for selection to the London 2012 Paralympic Games. The next major event for these two campaigners is Holland’s Delta Llyod Regatta in May.

The Royal Akarana Yacht Club and their team of volunteers from several other Auckland Sailing Clubs have pulled off a fantastic regatta, feedback from the sailors has been top notch. They will now start planning for Sail Auckland 2013, also to be held The Landing at Okahu Bay.

Getting in behind Sail Auckland is a team of dedicated sponsors including The Orakei Marina, Auckland Council, The Lion Foundation, Te Waihou Reserve New Zealand Spring Water and DB Breweries.

Sail Auckland 2012 FINAL STANDINGS
Olympic Classes

Laser top three
1st NZL Andrew Murdoch- 12pts
2nd KOR Jee Min Ha- 26pts
3rd NED Rutger Van Schaardenburg- 27pts

Laser Radial top three
1st NZL Sara Winther- 17pts
2nd NZL Logan Dunning Beck- 28th
3rd NZL Andrew McKenzie- 32pts

470 top three
1st NZL Paul Snow-Hansen & Jason Saunders – 10pts
2nd NZL Jo Aleh and Olivia Powrie – 29pts
3rd KOR Chang Ju Kim & Kim Ji Hoon – 35pts

Finn top three
1st NZL Matt Coutts- 8 pts
2nd NZL Karl Purdie- 19 pts
3rd NZL Brad Douglas- 24pts

RS:X 9.5 (Men) top three
1st KOR Tae Hoon Lee- 30pts
2nd NED Dorian van Rijsselberge – 31pts
3rd SUI Richard Stauffacher- 39 pts

RS:X 8.5 (Women and youth) top three
1st AUS Jessica Crisp NZL- 25pts
2nd NZL Steffanie Williams- 34pts
3rd NOR Jannicke Stalstrom- 34pts

49er top two
1st NZL Peter Burling and Blair Tuke- 14pts
2nd NZL Marcus Hansen and Josh Porebski- 21pts

Paralympic Classes
2.4 metre top three
1st NZL Paul Francis – 14pts
2nd NZL Brett Willcock- 18pts
3rd NZL Josh McKenzie Brown- 26pts

SKUD18 top two
1st NZL Tim Dempsey and Jan Apel – 12pts
2nd NZL Russell Phillips and Quentin Smith- 17pts

Other Invited Classes
420 top three
1st NZL Erica Dawson and Vicky Francis- 18pts
2nd NZL Gemma Jones and Tomer Simhony- 30pts
3rd NZL Taylor Burn and Oscar Rovick- 31pts

29er top two
1st NZL Trent Rippey and Alex Munro- 13pts
2nd NZL Markus Sommerville and Jack Simpson- 19pts

Access 303
1st NZL Robbie Love and Katy Kenah- 8pts

Flying 15 National Championship
1st NZL Aaron Goodmanson and Alister Rowlands- 12pts
2nd NZL Ben Lowe and Kate Gilbert 22pts
3rd NZL Craig Coulam and Adrienne Rekke- 23pts

Access Liberty National Championship
1st Brendan Tourelle- 14pts
2nd John Buchanan- 18pts
3rd Michael Jones- 29pts

Daily results can be found online the event website sailauckland.org.nz and facebook page www.facebook.com/SailAKL

-Ends-

Images are available via the Sail Auckland facebook page www.facebook.com/sailAKL

Yachting New Zealand will be issuing a daily wrap-up as soon as possible after racing concludes daily February 4th – 7th.

Media Enquiries
Kristine Lederis
Yachting New Zealand Communications

Event Enquiries
Suellen Hurling
Royal Akarana Yacht Club Communications

Just one day remains for Sail Auckland 2012, New Zealand’s premier Olympic and Paralympic class regatta. Today saw slightly lighter winds and choppy water on most courses due to the influx of Waitangi Day holiday goers enjoying some time on the Waitemata Harbour.

Ray Hall, secretary of the New Zealand Finn Association reported on today’s racing from the Finn divisions. “There’s been good courses set, but boat wash has impacted us a wee bit” he said. “Racing today was quite tight with no Oscar flag (no pumping allowed). On the last race the whole fleet finished within 100 meters”.

“When it was a bit windier we saw Matt and Karl stretch out. Today was good for the main group to get back into place” continued Ray. The Finn class has been dominated by Matt Coutts who so far has won all nine races sailed, fending off two times OK Dinghy World Champion Karl Purdie and local Finn sailor Brad Douglas.

“Karl and I got fairly close to Matt today, there was only about 20 seconds between us in one race. We have every chance to catch him on the last day tomorrow”.

Brendan Tourelle in the Access Liberty Class caught up to and passed John Buchanan to take home the second National Championship title ever awarded in this fleet. John was unable to recover from a DNF in race eight today, and throughout the regatta these top two were chased by last year’s National Champion Michael Jones of Wellington.

As expected in the Flying Fifteen fleet, Aaron Goodmanson and Alister Rowlands held on to their firm grip of the National Championship title as they have for most of the last decade. This is not a small feat considering the depth of talent in this national fleet.

On the RS:X courses today, lighter wind and more disturbed water brought the need for a different style of sailing. Natalia Kosinska of the NZL Sailing Team had a solid day in lighter conditions, and has subsequently brought herself back up to the top of the RS:X 8.5m fleet after two wins and a fourth. Jessica Crisp sits only one point behind. Richard Stauffacher of Switzerland still narrowly leads the Men’s RS:X 9.5 fleet, two points ahead of Tae Hoon Lee of Korea.

The NZL Sailing Team’s Jo Aleh and Olivia Powrie are reeling the points in over team mates Paul Snow Hansen and Jason Saunders, sitting second and first overall respectively in the hotly contested Olympic 470 class.

Andrew Murdoch continues to hold on to his strong lead of the Laser fleet, he is now 14 points ahead of the next sailor, Jee Min Ha of Korea. Sara Winther is in a similar position in the Laser Radial Fleet, 11 points ahead of Wakatere Boating Club’s Logan Dunning Beck. Andrew Mckenzie in the Laser Radial fleet is one to watch heading into the final day of the event, after two wins today he is in easy reach of finishing in the silver position.

Erica Dawson and Ellie Copeland of Murrays Bay Sailing Club had a fantastic day today in the 420 fleet, repeating the same performance as the first day of racing with three race wins in a row. They sit comfortably in first place overall, ahead of Club mates Gemma Jones and Tomer Simhoney who are twelve points behind in second place as the regatta heads into its last day tomorrow.

acing continues for the final day on Tuesday, from 11:00. Only two races are scheduled for most fleets, and three for the skiffs, so the sailors may enjoy a shorter day before packing up their gear and attending prize giving at the Royal Akarana Yacht Club at 6:30pm.

Getting in behind Sail Auckland is a team of dedicated sponsors including The Orakei Marina, Auckland Council, The Lion Foundation, Te Waihou Reserve New Zealand Spring Water and DB Breweries.

Sail Auckland 2012 Provisional Results

Day 3 – Olympic Classes
Laser top three
1st NZL Andrew Murdoch- 12pts
2nd KOR Jee Min Ha- 26pts
3rd NED Rutger Van Schaardenburg – 27pts

Laser Radial top three
1st NZL Sara Winther- 17pts
2nd NZL Logan Dunning Beck- 28th
3rd NZL Andrew McKenzie- 32pts

470 top three
1st NZL Paul Snow-Hansen & Jason Saunders – 10pts
2nd NZL Jo Aleh and Olivia Powrie – 29pts
3rd KOR Chang Ju Kim & Kim Ji Hoon – 35pts

Finn top three
1st NZL Matt Coutts- 8 pts
2nd NZL Karl Purdie- 19 pts
3rd NZL Brad Douglas- 24pts

RS:X 9.5 (Men) top three
1st SUI Richard Stauffahcer- 23pts
2nd KOR Tae Hoon Lee- 25pts
3rd NED Dorian van Rijsselberge= 29 pts

RS:X 8.5 (Women and youth) top three
1st NZL Natalia Kosinska – 22pts
2nd AUS Jessica Crisp- 23pts
3rd NZL Steffanie Williams- 25pts

49er top two
1st NZL Peter Burling and Blair Tuke- 13pts
2nd NZL Marcus Hansen and Josh Porebski- 19pts
Day 3 Standings Paralympic Classes

2.4 metre top three
1st NZL Brett Willcock- 6 pts
2nd NZL Paul Francis- 9 pts
3rd NZL Josh McKenzie Brown- 13pts

SKUD18 top two
1st NZL Tim Dempsey and Jan Apel – 5pts
2nd NZL Russell Phillips and Quentin Smith- 10pts

Day 3 Standings – Other Invited Classes
420 top three
1st NZL Erica Dawson and Vicky Francis- 18pts
2nd NZL Gemma Jones and Tomer Simhony- 30pts
3rd NZL Taylor Burn and Oscar Rovick- 31pts

29er top two
1st NZL Trent Rippey and Alex Munro- 13pts
2nd NZL Markus Sommerville and Jack Simpson- 19pts

Access 303
1st NZL Robbie Love and Katy Kenah- 8pts

Flying 15 National Championship- FINAL RESULTS
1st NZL Aaron Goodmanson and Alister Rowlands- 12pts
2nd NZL Ben Lowe and Kate Gilbert 22pts
3rd NZL Craig Coulam and Adrienne Rekke- 23pts

Access Liberty National Championship FINAL RESULTS
1st Brendan Tourelle- 14pts
2nd John Buchanan- 18pts
3rd Michael Jones- 29pts

Daily results can be found online the event website sailauckland.org.nz and facebook page www.facebook.com/SailAKL

-Ends-

Schedule:

Tuesday 7 February- 11:00am start of two races for all classes (skiffs have three).
The awards presentation for Sail Auckland 2012 will be at 6:30pm Tuesday

A media boat will be available for legitimate media to view, photograph and film on the water. Spots will be on a first come first serve basis, and interested media can contact Kristine Lederis via the information below.

Images are available via the Sail Auckland facebook page www.facebook.com/sailAKL

Yachting New Zealand will be issuing a daily wrap-up as soon as possible after racing concludes daily February 4th – 7th.

Media Enquiries
Kristine Lederis
Yachting New Zealand Communications

Event Enquiries
Suellen Hurling
Royal Akarana Yacht Club Communications

Sail Auckland 2012 is now half way completed and the results are starting to take shape for competitive finishes.

New Zealand’s selected Olympians for 2012 are all proving their status as top in their fleet of NZ, and two National Champions are about to emerge as favourable conditions continued today.

The NZL Sailing Team’s Paul Snow Hansen and Jason Saunders (Mens 470), Jo Aleh and Olivia Powire (Womens 470), Andrew Murdoch (Laser), Sara Winther (Laser Radial) and Peter Burling and Blair Tuke (49er) are all atop their fleet. The other four members of the London 2012 Olympic Sailing Team are not at this event as JP Tobin (Men’s RS:X ) is giving time for his foot wound to heal, and Women’s Match Racing is not part of Sail Auckland, so Stephanie Hazard, Jenna Hansen and Susannah Pyatt have a chance to cheer on their teammates from the shore.

“Conditions have been pretty tricky actually; the easterly today was shifty and hard to get right.” Jo Aleh is sailing in the 470 mixed fleet with sailing partner Olivia Powrie, and sits third overall and top females. “Things haven’t been quite right on our boat, we’ve often struggled for pace.”

“We’ve had alot of races where somebody shoots 400m ahead right away after the start”. Jo continued to tell about her experience at Sail Auckland 2012, sailed from the Royal Akarana Yacht Club for the first time. “It’s pretty similar to sailing from Kohi (Kohimarama Yacht Club), we’re racing in the same spot really. Launching has been great and pretty easy too.”

One of Akarana Yacht Club’s local sailors, Craig Coulam is sitting in second overall with Adrienne Rekke in the Flying fifteen as their National Championship draws to a close tomorrow. “There are five boats that could take the win” Craig explained how close the racing is in this fleet.

“The guys who are winning are Alister and Aaron from Canterbury; they’re a pretty on form boat to beat, so if you bet them you’re doing pretty good.” Craig and Adrienne were right up there with the lead boat on multiple occasions today.

“We did get a first in the last race, but we were OCS. We didn’t know, and only just found out now as we saw the results sheet.” This crew from Royal Akarana Yacht Club are hopeful that they can catch up tomorrow, but acknowledge the skill of the leaders Aaron Goodmanson and Alister Rowlands.

“They are pretty good, they’ve won the national championships about seven times and they’ve done well at the World Championships twice.” Craig said.

The Access Liberty National Championships also end on Monday and is expected to have a close finish too. Today, Brendan Tourelle of Sailability Auckland has reeled in several points on leader John Buchanan, and is within striking distance of winning the National Championship, as is Lindsay McGregor.

Several other fleets saw drastic changes in the overall standings. For example, the Women’s RS:X now sees Kohimarama Yacht Club’s Steffanie Williams in the lead, with Australia’s Jessica Crisp and the NZL Sailing Team’s Natalia Kosinska only a handful of points behind. The highly competitive Men’s RS:X standings have remained the same today, with Switzerland’s Richard Stauffacher maintaining a narrow lead over 2011 Men’s RS:X World Champion Dorian Van Rijsselberghe of the Netherlands.

Racing continues on Monday, Waitangi Day, from 11:00.

Getting in behind Sail Auckland is a team of dedicated sponsors including The Orakei Marina, Auckland Council, The Lion Foundation, Te Waihou Reserve New Zealand Spring Water and DB Breweries.

Sail Auckland 2012 Provisional Standings

Day 2 – Olympic Classes
Laser top three
1st NZL Andrew Murdoch – 6pts
2nd NZL Andy Maloney- 12 pts
3rd KOR Jee Min Ha- 17pts

Laser Radial top three
1st NZL Sara Winther- 7pts
2nd NZL Logan Dunning Beck- 19th
3rd NZL Andrew McKenzie- 23pts

470 top three
1st NZL Paul Snow-Hansen & Jason Saunders – 6pts
2nd KOR Chang Ju Kim & Kim Ji Hoon- 14pts
3rd NZL Jo Aleh and Olivia Powrie- 22pts

Finn top three
1st NZL Matt Coutts- 5 pts
2nd NZL Karl Purdie- 12 pts
3rd NZL Brad Douglas- 14pts

RS:X 9.5 (Men) top three
1st SUI Richard Stauffahcer- 8pts
2nd NED Dorian van Rijsselberge -10pts
3rd KOR Tae Hoon Lee- 17 pts

RS:X 8.5 (Women and youth) top three
1st NZL Steffanie Williams- 8pts
2nd AUS Jessica Crisp- 12pts
3rd NZL Natalia Kosinska- 16pts

49er top two
1st NZL Peter Burling and Blair Tuke- 9pts
2nd NZL Marcus Hansen and Josh Porebski- 12pts

Day 2 Paralympic Classes
2.4 metre top three
1st NZL Brett Willcock- 6 pts
2nd NZL Paul Francis- 9 pts
3rd NZL Josh McKenzie Brown- 13pts

SKUD18 top two
1st NZL Tim Dempsey and Jan Apel – 5pts
2nd NZL Russell Phillips and Quentin Smith- 10pts

Day 2- National Championships
Flying 15 National Championship top three
1st NZL Aaron Goodmanson and Alister Rowlands- 6pts
2nd NZL Craig Coulam and Adrienne Rekke- 12pts
3rd NZL Ben Lowe and Kate Gilbert- 16pts

Access Liberty National Championship top three
1st John Buchanan- 7pts
2nd Brendon Tourelle- 10pts
3rd Lindsay McGregor- 13pts

Day 2 – Other Invited Classes
420 top three
1st NZL Erica Dawson and Vicky Francis- 15pts
2nd NZL Gemma Jones and Tomer Simhony- 18pts
3rd NZL Taylor Burn and Oscar Rovick- 19pts

29er top two
1st NZL Trent Rippey and Alex Munro- 7pts
2nd NZL Markus Sommerville and Jack Simpson- 13pts

Access 303
1st NZL Robbie Love and Katy Kenah- 5pts

Daily results can be found online the event website sailauckland.org.nz and facebook page www.facebook.com/SailAKL

-Ends-

Schedule:
Monday 6 February- 11:00am start of three races for all classes (skiffs have four races)
*final day of racing for the Flying Fifteen and Access Class National Championships, prize giving at 6:30pm
Tuesday 7 February- 11:00am start of two races for all classes (skiffs have three).
*The awards presentation for Sail Auckland 2012 will be as soon as possible after racing on Sunday.

A media boat will be available for legitimate media to view, photograph and film on the water. Spots will be on a first come first serve basis, and interested media can contact Kristine Lederis via the information below.

Images are available via the Sail Auckland facebook page www.facebook.com/sailAKL

Yachting New Zealand will be issuing a daily wrap-up as soon as possible after racing concludes daily February 4th – 7th.

Media Enquiries
Kristine Lederis
Yachting New Zealand Communications

Event Enquiries
Suellen Hurling
Royal Akarana Yacht Club Communications