Gold and Silver for NZL Boardsailors
For Immediate Release:
Date: Monday 8th December
2003
Issued By: Louise Andrews, Communications & Projects
Coordinator
2003 Mistral Youth & Junior World
Championships
2003 Raceboard (7.5 & Unlimited) World
Championships & Master World Championship
Mexico - 29th
November - 7th December 2003
Auckland Boardsailor, Tom Ashley, has notched up a convincing win in the men's Youth division at the 2003 Mistral Youth & Junior World Championships in Mexico. The 19 year old from Devonport, finished the regatta with an impressive scorecard, attaining four wins in the 10 race series which put him 12 points ahead of 2nd placing, Byron Kokalanis of Greece.
Conditions were light to marginal, with the majority of racing being held in light airs with a maximum wind speed of 15-18 knots throughout the regatta. Ashley comments, "it was hard work in the light but my pace was good and in the breeze I was flying", he finished up to two minutes ahead of the rest of the fleet in some races.
2003 has proved to be a tough year for Ashley who has battled through illness and injury, which makes victory even sweeter, he comments "this was a great result to make up for mixed year".
Fellow Aucklander, and Yachting New Zealand Future Champion's Academy Coach, Paul Page, narrowly missed out on winning the Raceboard Masters title, finishing one point behind the overall winner, Paco Wirz from Italy. Page demonstrated fine form in the middle of the series winning five straight races in a row.
Contending with large amounts of seaweed on the course provided an added challenge for the competitors, and New Zealander Michael Lichtwark had an unfortunate encounter with a blue bottle jelly-fish which forced his retirement from one of the early races.
NZL Results:
Youth Men: (38 entries)
1st - Tom Ashley
27th - Michael Lichtwark
34th - Antonio Cozzolino
Youth Women: (15 entries)
10th - Anna Eason
12th -
Hayley Thom< >
Raceboard Masters: (16 entries)
2nd -
Paul Page
Raceboard Overall: (34 entries)
15th - Paul
Page
For more information refer to the following websites:
http://www.imco.org/page0103v01.htm
http://www.multired.net.mx/silcer/
ENDS