Australia’s Tom Slingsby retains lead in Laser fleet at 2011 Perth ISAF Sailing World Championship
Australia’s Tom Slingsby sailed convincingly on the final day of qualifying races to retain the overall standing lead in the Laser fleet. The local hero finished the qualification round of 2011 Perth International Sailing Federation (ISAF) World Championship
with 16 points after eight races, including a discard.
The mega competition will commence from Thursday with the top sailors from around the world ready to face off some of the most thrilling contests, sailing against each other.
The Australian, while sailing in the Gold fleet of Laser class, took a seven-point lead over Paul Goodison of Great Britain to surge into the initial stage of championship. The final day of the qualifying session was a topsy-turvy affair for the triple World
Champion, as he clinched 1, 9, 1 and 5, before the conclusion of the final day’s proceedings.
Speaking to the local media at the end of final day, Slingsby said, “I know that I’m sailing well when the breeze is normal, when it goes crazy it’s a bit of luck of the day but I’m in good shape going into tomorrow.”
The leaderboard added, “It’s weird what’s going on with the wind, it’s a hard time to lead an event because you’re trying to watch your opposition and who’s close to you on points but in stuff like that you can’t cover them.”
Goodison clinched second place with 27 points followed by compatriot, Nick Thompson, who secured 33 points to hit the third spot. Slingsby’s compatriot, Ashley Brunning, had a bit of bad luck during the qualifying races and finished on fourth place with
35 points.
Top 10 results of Men’s fleet in Laser class:
1. Tom SLINGSBY AUS 1, 6, 1, 1, 1, (9), 1, 5 = 16 points
2. Paul GOODISON GBR 5, 8, 4, 1, 6, 1, 2, (24) = 27 points
3. Nick THOMPSON GBR 3, 6, 8, 2, 5, 8, (9), 1 = 33 points
4. Ashley BRUNNING AUS 4, 4, 10, 7, 4, 2, 4, (31) = 35 points
5. Simon GROTELUSCHEN GER 7, 1, 7, 4, 6, 1, 10, (11) = 36 oints
6. Johan WIGFORSS SWE 8, 2, 9, 2, 2, (19), 12, 4 = 39 points
7. Andreas GERITZER AUT 1, 14, 3, 14, 1, 4, 5, (29) = 42 points
8. Andrew MURDOCH NZL 6, 7, 7, 4, 2, 10, (50) DNF, 7 = 43 points
9. Tonci STIPANOVIC CRO 4, 15, 3, 9, 4, 4, (25), 6 = 45 points
10. Jean Baptiste BERNAZ FRA 2, 7, 2, 10, 10, 2, (28), 13 = 46 points
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