French champion Antoine Albeau and Allison Shreeve respectively lead the Men’s and Women’s Sail Melbourne Formula Windsurfing World Championship with only one day of racing remaining.
Despite injuries and collisions out of her control, two further wins today appear to have strengthened Shreeve’s resolve to win her first World title in her home country. Prior to racing this morning, she commented, “I wouldn’t care if my leg was in plaster, I would still go out and race – I really want to win this title. I feel so relaxed right now, I can’t believe it.”
With a second race drop in play after seven races, the 23 year old Sydney boardsailor leads world champ, Dorota Staszewski by five points. Shreeve’s tally, after dropping a third and a DNF is five wins. The 27 year-old Polish woman scored a second in race six, but was outside the podium places in race seven, finishing fourth. With the series finishing tomorrow, it will take hard work from Staszewski to beat Shreeve.
The Men’s competition is a lot tighter as French champion, Antoine Albeau, steals the lead from Wojtek Brzozowski. The 1999 and 2000 world title holder was unlucky, breaking his boom and therefore losing his slim one point lead, but still manages to hold third place overall.
A second Frenchman, Youth sailor Julien Quentel, has moved back up into second place with a 10th place finish today. However, a second race drop does not come into effect until the Men have completed their seventh race, so their championship is still wide open.
A late start to the day again, as heavy rain preceded light wafty airs on the Port Phillip course area off Elwood Sailing Club today.
Finally, just before 4.00pm, the AP came down and the Women headed to the course in freshening south westerly sea breezes. Shreeve came home a clear first in race six leaving Staszewski and Britain’s Lucy Horwood in her wake.
An excited Shreeve said between races, “Dorota was ahead of me when we got off the (start) line, but as soon as I tacked, I was in front and led all the way to the finish. I hope I can go out there and do it again,” and she did. She described conditions in the race as: “Fantastic. It was a nice solid 10-12, but was building as we came to the finish.”
Two general recalls in the Men’s and finally away on their third attempt at race six. Then, completed, officials decided to abandon the race and re-sail it after bringing competitors ashore for a short time. At 6.50, the hooter sounded and back on the water for another start. Finally, under sunny skies in an11-13 knot south-westerly, the Men’s race six was completed.
Following cart wheeling his board during racing yesterday, Brazillian, Wilhelm Schurmann, found he had in fact broken his thumb and disappointingly decided to return to Brazil to be operated on.
In a jury decision this morning, a number of competitors were re-scored 88 points in race one, changing some overall scores, as per the updated results on the website.
Weather for the final day looks promising; 15-20 north-east to north-west winds, tending west/south-west later in the day at 20-25 knots. Racing is due to get underway at 10.00am.
Sail Melbourne is made possible by the support of event sponsors: Sport & Recreation Victoria, Collex, Parks Victoria; associate sponsors Bayside City Council and Menere’s BMW Brighton and support sponsors Ronstan International, Schenker Australia, City of Kingston and the City of Port Philip.
To view full results, images and other information: www.sailmelbourne.com.au
Di Pearson
