Sai: Blanck good for gold as Aussies have best day on water

AAP General News (Australia)
08-19-2004
Sai: Blanck good for gold as Aussies have best day on water

By Sharon Labi

ATHENS, Aug 19 AAP - Europe class sailor Sarah Blanck is looking good for gold after
Australian crews had their best day of the Olympics today.

Extra races were scheduled to make up for those lost due to strong winds earlier in
the week giving sailors little rest as the competition progresses.

More than halfway through the program, Blanck is topping her single-handed dinghy class,
five points clear of nearest rival and double world champion Siren Sundby of Norway.

Blanck's coach Erik Stibbe said if she was more aggressive, she could further her lead.

"She's happy. We're not really focused on the scoring, we're focused on how she's sailing,"

Stibbe said.

"She's still making some little mistakes and if we can smooth them all out, then she'll
really be on fire."

Blanck is scheduled to sail her final race on Sunday and Stibbe said leading the pack
was a great confidence boost for her.

Windsurfer Lars Kleppich was in eighth place after one of his races was postponed today
due to the winds.

Finn class sailor Anthony Nossiter notched up a win and an eighth place to propel him
into fifth position overall with three races remaining.

49er pair Chris Nicholson and Gary Boyd also scored a win, a sixth and 15th to move
into ninth place after four races.

World champions Malcolm Page and Nathan Wilmot moved into fifth place overall as they
vie for gold, while Laser sailor Michael Blackburn moved into seventh position.

But reigning Olympic champions Jenny Armstrong and Belinda Stowell's hopes of successive
golds in the women's 470 are growing more unlikely as they struggle in 14th place.

Meanwhile, the Yngling crew of Nicky Bethwaite, Kristen Kosmala and Karyn Gojnich gained
ground today, with a second and fifth place finish to be in 11th overall.

AAP sal/nh

KEYWORD: OLY SAI AUST

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