Current AUS Team Results:
49er – 1st
470 women – 2nd
RS:X Women – 3rd
Radial – 4th
Yngling – 6th
Finn – 16th
Laser – 21st
Competition will begin at 12noon Qingdao time (2pm Sydney time) to allow three races to be run in Laser Radial, Laser, Yngling, Finn and 49er. All other classes have two races scheduled today.
WEATHER
The weather forecast for Qingdao today is:
Temperature: 28 degrees
Humidity: 87%
Wind: 7-9 knots NE
Other: Cloudy, chance of rain (and plenty of dragonflies, which the locals refer to as rainbirds!)
MOVING DAY FOR 49ERS
Having enjoyed an extra day’s rest on Thursday, today is moving day for the skiffs and the Australians will be looking to hold their position on top of the leader board. Nathan Outteridge and Ben Austin lead by just one point ahead of Denmark. There are still six races to go until the top ten go through for the medal race.
The challenge for the Australians, who are also the current World Champions, is to hold their position in the top three and put as many points as possible between themselves and their rivals. Having already dropped their worst score after a disqualification in race one, Outteridge and Austin have little leeway for error.
470’S - ‘PLUGGING ALONG’ WITH MEDALS IN MIND
The Women’s 470s had a scheduled rest day yesterday. They have only four races to go until the top ten go through to the medal race scheduled for 18th August.
Elise Rechichi and Tessa Parkinson are equal first with The Netherlands. The girls have shown excellent boat speed in this regatta, but speed must be balanced with care in order to get ahead.
EXTRA RACES ADD PRESSURE FOR RS:X, YNGLING, FINN, LASER AND LASER RADIAL
Today is the crunchtime for the Yngling and Finn classes. If the conditions allow all three races scheduled for today to be completed, today’s results will decide the top ten crews for the medal races which will be held tomorrow, Saturday 16 August.
In the Yngling, Australia is currently placed sixth overall on 41 points
Third placed Jessica Crisp is back on the Women's RS:X course today, where the chase will be on to close the gap on China's nine point lead.
Australia’s Sarah Blanck is currently equal third with Lithuania in the Laser Radial. If she can edge ahead to consolidate her position it would make for a good day’s effort on the water.
