19 December 2011
By Craig Heydon
Edited by Peter Campbell
Nathan Outteridge (R) and Iain Jensen (L) after crossing the finish line of the 49er Medal Race
Photo: Richard Langdon
Australian sailors have won two Gold medals on the final day of the Perth 2011 ISAF Sailing World Championships.
Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron member Nathan Outteridge and and his crew Iain Jensen wrapped up the 49er title while Tom Slingsby won his fourth Laser World Championship in five years in emphatic style.
Outteridge and Jensen entered the final race with a 17 point lead over the Danish crew of Emil and Simon Toft Nielsen, knowing that they would walk away from Perth 2011 with at least a Silver medal.
But the pair didn’t rest on their laurels, pushing their competition the whole way through the final race, eventually finishing third overall to take the Gold medal, their second World Championship together and Outteridge’s third, by 21 points.
“This win is the perfect preparation for London,” said Outteridge. “We’ve performed really well on the Olympic waters in London as well and from here on it’s about maintaining the level we’re at and making sure we’re the team to beat, we’re doing the best we can at that and have got another eight months to get ready for the Games.
“Every event we do and get a podium is always a boost, and winning is always that little bit better,” he said. “We’ve got a few more events between now and the Games, including another World Championships in Croatia in May so there’s still a very long way to go yet.”
Australia’s second Gold medal of the day came at the hands of Tom Slingsby from Gosford Sailing Club, who won the title in style, with a first place in the medal race giving him a 19 point victory over Great Britain’s Nick Thompson with New Zealand’s Andrew Murdoch third.
Slingsby’s win was his fourth world title in five years, cementing himself at the top of the Laser class as he continues his preparation for the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Capping off the week for Australia, the nation was awarded the IOC President’s Trophy for the most successful team at the Perth 2011 ISAF Sailing World Championships with three Gold medals.
Full results are available at www.perth2011.com.
|
