Overall highlights of the 2011 Perth ISAF Sailing World Championship – Part 1
Final day of the 2011 Perth ISAF Sailing World Championship finished after featuring gold medallists in all 10 categories of Olympic sailing, as the championship produced some of the best sails under strong winds. The racing commenced at Bathers Bay in all
sailing classes, which include 470 Men and Women, 49er, RS:X Men and Women, Laser Men and Women, Match Racing, Star and Finn classes.
The Worlds Village was full of spectators, who came to watch the final medal races and closing ceremony before the fireworks. They watched and enjoyed each bit of the final day of racing and applauded their favourite sailors.
The participants from around the world sailed at the 2011 Perth International Sailing Federation’s Sailing World Championship with two goals in their mind, winning a world title and qualifying for the 2012 London Olympic Games. At the conclusion of the world
championship, 14 countries qualified to take part in the upcoming Olympic Games.
The ISAF World Championships featured racing of 10 Olympic classes for over 16 days with 1100 international sailors representing 79 countries. The local hero, Tom Slingsby, sailed impressively throughout the championship and claimed the gold medal by 37
points. He grabbed five bullets during his run to hit the top spot. He was closely followed by Great Britain’s Nick Thompson who clinched the silver title, while New Zealand’s Andrew Murdoch was awarded the bronze medal.
Marit Bouwmeester had a bit of trouble during her sail in the Laser Radial class but she managed to cling to the top spot with a consistent pace. She made her way to the first podium with 49 points. Evi van Acker of Belgium sailed neck and neck with the
Dutch sailor but could not keep up with her speed and tumbled down at number two spot with 53 points to claim silver medal.
Australia’s Mathew Belcher and Malcolm Page showed some excellent sailing skills during their medal run and successfully surged to the top spot. The duo claimed their gold medal with 28 points after 11 races, including a medal race and a discard. The Aussie
pair took six race victories to become the 470 Men class champions.
Great Britain’s Luke Patience and Stuart Bithell won four races to finish second in the class standings and secure silver medal for their country by 40 points. Sime Fantela and Igor Marenic from Croatia were able to clinch bronze after securing 52 points.
Spain’s Tara Pacheco and Berta Betanzos were crowned with the 470 Women title after they
retained their top position from the beginning. They clinched the gold medal with 63 points after showing a consistent performance during the championship. The Spanish pair had a low score in the medal race but it did not affect their overall success at
all.
Great Britain’s Hannah Mills and Saskia Clark had a second finish despite leading the fleet in the beginning. They tumbled down a couple of races during their sail and won silver medal after compiling 68 points.
Jo Aleh and Olivia Powrie New Zealand had a surprising comeback. They were on fourth podium spot when they set sail on the final day but after occupying a third in the medal race; they managed to hold their grip on the bronze medal by 73 points.
Overall list of gold medallists in Laser and 470 classes at the conclusion of 2011 Perth ISAF Sailing World Championship:
Gold, Laser, Tom SLINGSBY AUS 1, 6, 1, 1, 1, 9, 1, 5, 10, (13), 2 = 37 points
Gold, Laser Radial, Marit BOUWMEESTER NED 3, 2, 10, 2, 1, (13), 5, 6, 7, 5, 8 = 49 points
Gold, 470 Men, Mathew BELCHER, Malcolm PAGE AUS (9), 1, 1, 1, 1, 3, 1, 1, 6, 5, 8 = 28 points
Gold, 470 Women, Tara PACHECO, Berta BETANZOS ESP 8, 7, 1, 1, 3, 4, (27), 7, 2, 16, 14 = 63 points
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