Aussies come on strong

As Ben Ainslie pulls up through the ranks at Perth International Regatta

The ocean off Fremantle was filled with sails today as boats from all eight events competed in the second day of racing at the Perth International Regatta. It was an important day for the sailors to get some solid results to build on over the next four days.

Australian 49er team, Nathan Outteridge and Iain Jensen, dominated the day winning all three races in their group. “We had a pretty good day. We kept it simple. We managed to get three firsts. We were sailing in small fleets of about 15 boats,” said skipper Nathan Outteridge.

“Having three wins today was a terrific start. It was a consistent breeze, the focus was on speed and we were going quickly through the water,” said crew Iain Jensen. “We were going along nicely. We haven’t sailed since Sail for Gold two months ago and we have only had four or five days’ training since. We slotted back into everything nicely.”

ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year, Tom Slingsby from Australia, won both races in the Laser men’s event, moving him into second place overall just behind Croatian, Tonci Stipanovic.

Fremantle Laser Radial sailor, Matthew Wearn maintained first place overall after finishing 19th and 4th in the two races this afternoon. Inconsistent results have narrowed the points margin between boats.

470 men and women teams had a small delay this morning after being held ashore waiting for wind. Israeli team Gideon Kliger and Eran Sela are equal first in the men’s event with Australians Matthew Belcher and Malcolm Page. New Zealander Jo Aleh and Olivia Powrie were in top form, winning both races in the 470 women’s event.

RS:X athletes worked hard this afternoon, pumping their sails in the light wind and 35degC heat. Netherlands world number eight, Dorian van Rijsselberge, won both races in the men’s fleet while Spain's Marina Alabau, also won both her races in the women's class.

In the Finn, French sailor Jonathon Lobert maintained first place after four races, while Ben Ainslie moved up the fleet by finishing second in the last race of the day.