There will be live coverage of the medal races and match racing finals on the BBC Red Button for those with satellite/freeview between 12.00 and 14.00 on Saturday 19th September, and also online at BBC Sport from 9am. You can listen to radio coverage of the event online, or view GPS race trackers via the Sail for Gold website.
Credit: Sander van der Borch
Credit: Richard Langdon
Credit: Jesús Renedo
Credit: Lloyd Images
Credit: Lloyd Images
Credit: Lloyd Images
Credit: onEdition
Credit: Toby Melville
Credit: Richard Langdon
Skandia Sail for Gold — Day 5 — into the finals
Friday 18th September, 2009
This morning we completed our quarter-final contest, dispatching Lucinda Whitty (AUS) 3–1, progressing us through to the semi-finals. Here we faced the formidable team of Claire Leroy (FRA), who have led the world rankings for something like the last four years. After three matches it was do or die at 2–1 down, but we hung on in there to bring it level at 2–2 and the all important deciding match. After another epic battle we’ve turned the tables at last and defeated the French, winning the semi 3–2. Tomorrow we will face Renee Groeneveld (NED) in the final.
Sorry for the short update, we’re exhausted, though we have high hopes for tomorrow! The organisers have really gone to town with the “medal race” day tomorrow, so do try and follow the action on TV, radio, or online :)
Skandia Sail for Gold — Day 4
Thursday 17th September, 2009
With a more moderate breeze today, the organising authority has managed to get the match racing competition back on track.
First out was Group A, to complete their round-robin, which was won by World #1 Claire Leroy (FRA) with Anna Kjellberg (SWE) in second. Next up Group C headed out, for our three remaining races to complete the round-robin. We beat Genny Tulloch (USA) and Linda Rahm (SWE) but suffered our first defeat of the competition in a fiercely fought battle with the 2008 Olympic Gold medallist Anna Tunnicliffe (USA). Anna’s team also counted six wins and one loss, so we were tied on points, though as it was her team we lost to they finished the round-robin in first place, putting us second. Group B then completed their final remaining round-robin match, which resulted in a first place for Renee Groeneveld (NED) while second went to Lucinda Whitty (AUS).
Due to the weather delays in the previous days, it was decided to cancel the second round-robin stages and move straight into a quarter-final knock-out. The top two teams from each of the three round-robin groups automatically went through, while a mini repêchage was held to determine the final two contenders in the quarter finals, from which emerged Mary Rook (GBR) and Katie Spithill (AUS).
Our quarter-final is against the Australian team of Lucinda Whitty, and we’ve just come ashore after a long day on the water with one win apiece in a first-to-three points contest. Tomorrow we will finish the quarter-finals, and hopefully move in to the semis.
The following clip broadcast by the BBC is a round-up of the action across all of the classes so far this week, featuring a short interview and footage of us competing in the Elliott 6m.
Progress in ISAF World Rankings
Thursday 17th September, 2009
While there may not have been any racing in the Skandia Sail for Gold Olympic Classes Regatta yesterday, ISAF released the latest Match Racing World Rankings.
With a strong performance winning the Grade 2 warm-up event last week against top competition boosting our score, we’re delighted to have moved up to world #2 :)
The gap between us and Claire Leroy of France, the long-term leader of the World Rankings, has closed even further, so we’re continuing to make good progress in working towards the top spot.
Lets hope for some good racing today in Weymouth, it’s currently still fairly breezy but I’m sure the Organising Authority are as keen to get us out there as we are!
More later,
Lucy
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