Aussies in medal contention at 49er and Nacra 17 worlds

Olympic gold medallists Nathan Outteridge (NSW) and Iain Jensen (NSW) as well as Nacra 17 World #1 Jason Waterhouse and Lisa Darmanin are spearheading the Australian contingent at the 2016 Nacra 17, 49er, and 49erFX World Championships in Clearwater, Florida with both crews in second place after day four of the event (Friday, 12 February 2016 EST) and with two days to go.

In the 49er, three Australian Sailing crews will progress to the 34-boats Gold Fleet with Olympic gold medallists Nathan Outteridge (NSW) and Iain Jensen (NSW) defending their second place, David Gilmour (WA) and Lewis Brake (QLD) moving up into 17^th and Queenslanders Joel Turner and Tom Siganto, who qualified ranked 27^th.

In the women’s 49erFX fleets the battle is tight between the three Australian Sailing crews who all progress to the top-21 Gold Fleet racing with Tess Lloyd (VIC) and Caitlin Elks (WA) ranked 16^th, Olivia Price (NSW) and Eliza Solly (VIC) in 18^th and Haylee Outteridge (NSW) and Nina Curtis (NSW) following in 19^th.

Mixed multi-hull – Nacra 17

In the Nacra 17 four races were completed on Friday with an up and down day for Jason Waterhouse (NSW) and Lisa Darmanin (NSW) winning two and adding a tenth and 20^th. The result sees the pair move from third into second, after also the Jury corrected a scoring error from Wednesday.

“We had great day with new conditions here in Clearwater. It was another tricky day with four races. In the first race we had a shocking start and climbed our way back to tenth. The next two we sailed really well to get two bullets and in the final race everything just went a little wrong.

It was unfortunate to finish on a bad note but we are still learning heaps about ourselves as a team and still putting some solid results on the score board. Sometimes you nail everything and some times you make mistakes, we just don't like making mistakes twice. There will be three more races tomorrow so we will push hard for a good place going into medal race Sunday.”

The Nacra 17 has completed 12 races thus far and has one day of fleet racing left with three races scheduled for Saturday, 13 February, before Sunday’s Medal Race.

Men's Skiff – 49er

In the 49er and 49erFX fleets, Friday, 12 February was the last day of qualifying with the fleets now splitting into Gold and Silver fleet.

Four races were completed in the 49er and Nathan Outteridge and Iain Jensen finished the day on a high and with a race win after a 7-18-6 in the first three races.

Australian Sailing Squad’s David Gilmour (WA) and Lewis Brake (QLD) had the strongest comeback of the day when the pair put in a convincing 1-4-4-13 series, which saw them jump from 49^th into 17^th and thus into Gold Fleet.

Queenslanders Joel Turner (QLD) and Tom Siganto (QLD) also qualified for Gold Fleet in 27^th after posting a 16-19-6-8 series today.

Harry Price (NSW) and Harry Morton (NSW) will continue racing in Silver Fleet.

Women’s Skiff – 49erFX

Three races were completed in the 49erFX fleet with all Australian Sailing crews securing a spot in the Gold Fleet.

Australian Sailing Squad’s Tess Lloyd (VIC) and Caitlin Elks (WA) are heading into the final series as the top ranked Australian crew in 16^th after posting a 13-11-3 series today.

“We had awesome skiff conditions today and finally some warm sunshine! Today was all about a good start with the speed to play the left hand side of the course.  The last race we were able link everything together and come way with a third.

Early days and very excited for racing tomorrow in the gold fleet when the racing really steps up!”

Olivia Price (NSW) and Eliza Solly (VIC) head into Gold Fleet ranked 18^th with Haylee Outteridge (NSW) and Nina Curtis (NSW) following in 19^th. 

In the 49er/49erFX Gold Fleet racing continues on Saturday as well as Sunday morning, before the top-ten Medal Race on Sunday afternoon local time (AEDT Monday, 15 February 2015).

Racing is scheduled to resume on Friday, February 12, 2016 EST (AEST minus 16hrs). 49er & 49erFX fleets will split into Gold and Silver Fleet.

Follow results here: http://www.saillife.com/#!results/xnacl

Race Schedule: Qualifying from the 9-12th of February. Silver and Gold fleet racing from the 13-14th with the Medal races on the 14th. 

Australian Sailing Team (AST) & Squad (ASS) at Nacra 17, 49er/49erFX World Championships

Results as of Friday, 12 February 2016 (EST): 

Mixed Multi-hull – Nacra 17

ason Waterhouse (NSW) & Lisa Darmanin (NSW) – AST: 4, 15, 21, 4, (44 OCS – tbc), 5, 4, 1, 10, 1, 1, 20 – 2nd 

Euan McNicol (NSW) & Lucinda Whitty (NSW) – ASS: 17, 25, 17, 18, (44 RET), 12, 21, 35, 20, 20, 32, 28 – 26^th  

Men’s Skiff – 49er

Nathan Outteridge (NSW) & Iain Jensen (NSW) – AST: (15), 2, 1, 3, 4, 7, (18), 6, 1 – 2^nd

David Gilmour (WA/WAIS/AST) & Lewis Brake (QLD/QAS/ASS): 5, 20, (27), 26, 23, 1, 4, 4 13 – 17^th

Joel Turner (QLD/QAS/AST) & Tom Siganto (QLD/QAS/ASS): 12, (24), 18, 13, 15, 16, 19, 6, 8  – 27^th  

Harry Price (NSW/ASS Youth Bridging) & Harry Morton (NSW/ASS Youth Bridging): (DNF 56), 25, 33, 30, 32, 22, 29, 18 – 59^th 

Women's Skiff – 49erFX

Tess Lloyd (VIC/VIS) & Caitlin Elks (WA/WAIS) – ASS: 3, 13, (19), 4, 11, 13, 11, 3 – 16^th  

Olivia Price (NSW) & Eliza Solly (VIC/VIS) – ASS: 15, (20), 3, 15, 7, 7, 12, 5 – 18^th

Haylee Outteridge (NSW/ASS) & Nina Curtis (NSW/ASS): 17, 3, 9, 3, (22 OCS), 11, 9, 15 – 19^th

– Cora Zillich