Yngling Womens Worlds at Miami, Florida - Day 3
by Mattias Dahlstrom / yngling.org 13 Feb 2008 06:36 GMT
10-15 February 2008
Fight for the four
After 6 races at the Yngling Worlds the GBR team of Sarah AYTON is still in the lead. The big battle is seen further down the fleet where eight nations are fighting for the four Olympic places that are still up for grabs.
For those not familiar with the qualification system, here is a brief explanation: 15 Yngling teams will sail at the Olympics. 10 of the nations were decided already at last year's Worlds in Cascais, Portugal. China have a host nation berth and the four places left will be decided here at the Worlds in Miami. Which specific team a nation will finally send to the Olympics is up to the nation itself and hard battles are also fought among teams from the same country.
The top ranked team among the not yet qualified nations is Anne Claire LE BERRE, Marion DEPLANQUE and Alice PONSAR (FRA), currently ranked 4 in the regatta. The ranking order after race 6 for the other 7 nations fighting for an olympic berth is: Norway, Greece, Italy, Canada, Denmark and Japan. With 4 races to go before the medal race much is at stake.
The Italian team of Chiara CALLIGARIS, Francesca SCOGNAMILLO and Giulia PIGNOLO strengthened their position after leading the fleet around all the marks to win race 5.
The American team, one of the dominating teams at the Yngling arena for the last few years, had during this Championship often been found far down the fleet on the first beat without time and opportunity to come back. After a win in today's last race the team is now ranked 6 in the regatta and very much in the fight for medals.
Full results can be found at the event website or yngling.org