Australian Sailing Development Squad member Gabrielle King is leading the charge for the Australians after day one of the 2009 Laser Radial World Championship in Karatsu, Japan.
Two-time Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship Laser Radial winner King currently sits in 19th after two races, with a 17th and a sixth leaving her with 23 points.
“Today was a nice day of racing and a good start to the regatta,” said King. “Conditions were tricky, but a nice breeze filled in and we got two races completed in good time.”
“The current across the course made racing very interesting and I had a solid start to the regatta and by race two was starting to get into race mode.”
Alexandra South is the second placed Australian in 29th, ahead of Sarah Patterson in 45th, with all three racing in the same fleet.
Ashley Stoddart, who recently finished sixth in the Laser Radial class at the Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship in Brazil, sits in 61st at the end of day one.
“Well today was interesting,” said Stoddart. “We went out for a 11;30am start and there was not a lot of breeze so the race committee postponed for maybe half an hour before the wind filled in slightly more.”
“Before the start I was a little nervous and found the racing to be very close. Clear air was definitely important and I made a few errors in this area in the first race, which I tried to fix in the following race.
“I found I had more options in the second race when I made clear air a definite priority. Overall it was an interesting day, with very close racing and it was great to test my skills and I look forward to racing tomorrow.”
Racing continues in Japan on Wednesday with two more races scheduled.
For more information go to www.australiansailingteam.com.au.
