Links to Reports on the Progress of the Olympic Sailing Competition

The final day of Olympic Sailing saw two Silver Medals to Australian Crews.

Mat Belcher and Will Ryan sailed a successful Match Race at the back of the Fleet against the Greek 470 crew to jump from Third to Second position on the table, as both teams were then tied on points, but the Australians had the advantage when tie-breaker rules were applied. During the "Match Race", the likely Gold-Medal-winning Croatian boat kept a position just ahead of the protangonists, covering their moves and making sure Australia did not conjure an amazing victory ala Burton two days befiore. Belcher and Page crossed the finish line second last, behind the Croations but just ahead of the Greek boat, to take home the Silver Medal after an intriquing battle on the water where the podium placegetters ignored all other competitors to have their own private contest.

Nathan Outteridge and Iain Jensen, sailing in the high performance 49'er class, could not catch the New Zealand pair of Peter Burling and Blair Tuke who had won Gold even before the two final races, but needed to outsail both the German and Great British teams to be assured of Silver. When the GB team had to take an infringementpenalty after the start, the Aussie's settled down to match race the Germans who also had had a poor start. From their controling position, the Aussie's covered both rival teams throughout the race, ignoring other teams who could not affect their result. Sailing a safe race, the Outteridge and Jensen comfortably secured the Silver medal.

DAY 10 REPORT (Wednesday 7 August)

Unfortunately there is nothing to report -- Rio's fluky sailing breeze failed to flutter the flags, so all boats stayed on the beach.

Sometimes Sailing just has days like this and nature runs to it's own timetable!

The revised schedule is for all four remaining Medal Races ( the Men's and Women's 470's and 49'ers)  to be held on Thursday - Rio Time (early Friday AEST).

Australian crews Belcher & Ryan (Mens's 470) , and Outteridge & Jensen (Men's 49'er), will be involved in these Medal Races with good chances of medals.

Breeze permitting of course!

DAY NINE REPORTS - The First Finals

DAY 9 TEAM RESULTS - SUMMARY

Burton (Laser) - Medal Race (3) - GOLD
Waterhouse & Darmanin (Nacra 17) - Medal Race (2) - SILVER
Stoddart (Laser Radial) - Medal Race (3) - Overall 9th
Lilley (Finn) - Medal Race (5) - Overall 8th
Belcher & Ryan (470 M) - Race 8 (7) Race 9 (1) Race 10 (7) - Overall 3rd
Smith & Ryan (470 W) - Race 8 (16) Race 9 (19) Race 10 (12) - Overall 13th
Outteridge & Jensen (49er) - Race 10 (2) Race 11 (7) Race 12 (7) - Overall 3rd

Queenslanders are well represent with 5 of the team hailing from the Sunshine State.

We will be particularly following the efforts of Women's Laser Radial sailor, Ashley Stoddart, who has competed on our Maroochy course several times. 

May all sailors have good winds, fair seas and that slice of luck need in big Regattas.