Great Britain Top Nation in Heyeres

Great Britain emerged as top nation at the conclusion of the French Olympic Sailing Week on Friday (25 April).

John Robertson, Hannah Stodel and Stephen Thomas won Gold in the Paralympic Sonar class on Thursday, with Sarah Ayton, Sarah Webb and Pippa Wilson bronze in the Yngling event.

Sarah Ayton, Sarah Webb and Pippa Wilson also boosted themselves into the podium positions, with a second place in the Yngling medal race handing them bronze. Gold went to Siren Sundby’s Norwegian crew, with Sally Barkow, Carrie Howe and Debbie Capozzi taking silver.

470 women’s pairing of Christina Bassadone and Saskia Clark had strong finishes after disappointing starts to the event. Bassadone and Clark finished their final race in second place for an overall result of sixth.

2.4mR sailor Helena Lucas narrowly missed out on the medals, and she ended the regatta in fourth place.

“We’ve seen some extremes of weather at this event, from a demolition derby at the beginning of the week, to very light China-like conditions for the medal races today,” said RYA Olympic Manager Stephen Park.

“Although the team was light in numbers here, we had a reasonable outcome. It would have been nice to have converted some of the four fourth places we had to some podium positions, but I’m happy that we’re on track and where we need to be in our China preparations.”

2008 French Olympic Sailing Week – results

Yngling

1. Siren Sundby-Lise Birgit Fredriksen-Alexandra Koefoed, NOR (44pts)

2. Sally Barkow-Carrie Howe-Debbie Capozzi, USA (51pts)

3. Sarah Ayton-Sarah Webb-Pippa Wilson, GBR (51pts)

470 Women

1. Ai Kondo-Naoko Kamata, JPN (46pts)

2. Stephanie Rothweiler-Vivien Kussatz, GER (51pts)

3. Giulia Conti-Giovanna Micol, ITA, (62pts)

Selected GBR

6. Christina Bassadone-Saskia Clark (84pts)

2.4mR