Murdoch in Fifth at Laser Worlds

Murdoch in Fifth at Laser Worlds
Date Released: 19 September
From: Jodie Perkins

Murdoch in Fifth at Laser Worlds

Andrew Murdoch is in 5th place at the 2006 Laser World Championships with two days of the regatta to go. Racing resumed yesterday and is expected to continue today after interruptions over the weekend due to the threat of typhoon ShanShan.

Six races have been completed in Jeju Island, Korea and the fleet now split for finals racing in Gold and Silver fleets. Murdoch and two other kiwis, David Weaver and Michael Bullot made the Gold fleet.

Murdoch, a member of the Yachting New Zealand Olympic Squad has been in the top ten from the start of the regatta improving his position in yesterday's racing up one place to 5th overall. He is currently just one point behind Canadian, Michael Leigh in 4th.

A top ten finish will earn Murdoch automatic entry into the Yachting New Zealand Olympic Squad for 2007.

Australia has a solid hold on the top two spots as Tom Slingsby kicked off the regatta with four straight wins before a 20th in the fifth race. Despite the hiccup he still has a five point leading margin over team mate Michael Blackburn.

Scott Giles (GBR) rounds out the top three, though his position is less secure with Leigh and Murdoch just two and three points behind him respectively.

David Weaver is the next best placed of the four New Zealand sailors competing, currently in 18th place. Michael Bullot is 28th, while Matt Coutts is 3rd in the Silver fleet or 67th overall. There are 128 sailors taking part.

Racing is scheduled for today and tomorrow with two races per day possible if conditions allow. The regatta concludes on Wednesday in Korea.

2006 Laser World Championships, Jeju Island, Korea

Top Ten Provisional Results after Six Races

1 Tom Slingsby (AUS) 7 points
2 Michael Blackburn (AUS) 12 points
3 Scott Giles (GBR) 26 points
4 Michael Leigh (CAN) 28 points
5 Andrew Murdoch (NZL) 29 points
6 Rasmus Myrgen (SWE) 32 points
7 Gustavo Lima (POR) 33 points
8 Thomas Le Breton (FRA) 35 points
9 Bernard Luttmer (CAN) 35 points
10 Paul Goodison (GBR) 36 points

New Zealand's Provisional Results after Six Races

Gold Fleet
5 Andrew Murdoch (NZL) 29 points
18 David Weaver (NZL) 57 points
28 Michael Bullot (NZL) 80 points

Silver Fleet
3 Matt Coutts (NZL) 110 points

Visit the regatta website through the link below for full results.

[ Regatta Website ]

ENDS

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