Laser Radial Day 5: Dramatic changes in the overall fleet standings
Race three started in 11-15 knots which picked up to a 20 knot sea breeze by Race five, with swell and chop to contend with.
In the first race of the Yellow fleet, the winner of the last two world championships, Sari Multala (FIN) was back to her winning ways, Alison Young (GBR) worked her way up from fifth place to second while Ashley Stoddart (AUS) finished a creditable third, after rounding the first leg in tenth place.
Sari Multala also won the second race of the day. “In the first two races I had a really good start,” she said.
“I could do what I wanted to do. There were some speed differences in the winds which helped,” Multala said.
Evi van Acker (BEL) and Paige Railey (USA) were back on the podium finishing second and third.
Alison Young (GBR) saved her best for last to win race five in the Yellow fleet.
“The first two races weren’t too great. Today I had three good races and I am happy with it,” she said.
Evi van Acker (BEL) again pipped Paige Railey (USA) over the finish line for second and third places respectively.
In race three of the Blue fleet, Charlotte Dobson (GBR) put her first day’s 34th behind her and posted her first win of the series. Annalise Murphy (IRL) and Veronika Fenclova (CZE) came from outside the top eight to finish second and third respectively.
World number one, Marit Bouwmeester (NED), did not have a good start and chose the wrong side of the course.
However, she managed to claw her way back into race to take tenth place after rounding mark one in 33rd position.
“I tried to forget about it and sail how I normally do,” Bouwmeester said about her comeback.
In race four, world number 13, Annalise Murphy (IRL) won her second race of the series.
“I was leading from start to finish and pulled out quite a lot and it was a good feeling to get so far ahead,” Murphy said.
World champion Marit Bouwmeester (NED) came second with Charlotte Dobson (GBR) third.
Bouwmeester finally broke through for a win at Perth 2011 though in the fifth race of the Blue fleet, with Claire Blom (NED) and Hannah Snellgrove (GBR) taking the minor places.
Annalise Murphy’s win saw her skyrocket from 26nd to second in the overall standings. Marit Bouwmeester (NED) remains in third place.