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13
February, 2008
Day 7
Laser Worlds -Ten more nations qualify for Beijing Olympics
Tom
Slingsby may have retained his world crown as the Laser
World Championship came to a close at Terrigal today, but
there was more at risk for many others who were aiming to
qualify their nations for the ten remaining places into the
Beijing Games.
A happy
Jeemin Ha qualified Korea when he made it into the Gold
fleet Finals two days ago. The remaining countries had
to wait it out until today.
There was
a fair amount of nervous tension as competitors in this
Olympic single-handed class paced the boat park waiting for
Race Officials to announce one way or the other whether
racing at the ISAF Grade 1 Worlds would be possible.
By afternoon, excessive seas, caused by huge southerly
winds, had put to rest any thought of racing.
“It’s
too dangerous,” said Principle Race Officer Tony Denham,
“we have a duty of care,” he said.
That
pronouncement suited some, but ended the Olympic hopes and
dreams of others.
The final
nine nations making the cut from the Silver fleet are:
Switzerland (Max Bulley finished fifth), Japan (Yoichi
Iijima, 10th), Malaysia (Kevin Lim, 15th),
Singapore (Leong Seng Koh, 23rd), Venezuela (Jose
Ruiz, 26th), Dominican Republic (Raul Aguayo, 31st),
Igor Lisovenko (RUS, 32nd), Hungary (Zsombor
Berecz) and Guatemala (Juan Maegli).
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Qualifying ones nation does not necessarily mean an
automatic entry to the Games for the competitor who
qualified. A number will have to sail off against
their compatriots in other regattas to claim their Beijing
selection or prove to their national authorities that they
are up to the job.
A point
in case is Germany. Qualifying at the 2007 ISAF
Worlds, five German competitors came to these Worlds.
Of the five, four remarkably made it through to the Gold
fleet Finals. Alexander Schlonski was best placed,
finishing sixth overall – a fantastic effort. But
now he will have to go home and plead his case to his
national authority whom will make a decision.
Various
other countries have as many as seven sailors in contention
for one Olympic place. Canada is one of those; with
six in contention. One, Michael Leigh, is World Ranked
No. 5, but will have to sail off against six others to claim
his place in Beijing.
In
Australia, Slingsby was selected late last year, so to a
degree, the pressure was less at this Championship.
His next goal is to bring home an Olympic medal from Beijing
in August.
This
Championship was made possible by support from the NSW
Government.
For all
information on the Gosford Sailing Club hosted Laser
World’s, including mark roundings, photos and more on the
Laser World Championship go to: http://aus08.laserinternational.org/
Di
Pearson
Laser Worlds media manager |
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