Sail Melbourne International Regatta 2003 - Belinda Kerl Takes Lead In Optimist Championships

In patchy 8-10 knot breezes today the Optimist class managed four races, the first in very light fickle conditions, forcing competitors ashore to wait for more breeze on Port Phillip Bay.

However, light winds did eventuate, and West Australian girls continue to make their presence felt at this regatta, today Belinda Kerl took the lead in both the Australian and Open Optimist Championship, with a 1-2-3-4 score, she has 19 points, only two points clear of Victorian Dean Burrows in the Australian fleet. Burrows is third overall in the Open fleet.

Tahali Kikuchi-Mille (S.A.) finished the day in third place on equal points of 27, with last year’s champion, Leon Poutsma (W.A.), the latter relegated to fourth place on countback in the Australian Championship.

In the open fleet, Sarah Tootill (NZL) is holding down second place on equal points with Kerl, but second on countback in a closely contested series.

The Optimist’s have six races to complete their 12-race Championship, which will continue on Port Phillip Bay tomorrow.

For information and full results, go to the official website:

www.sailmelbourne.com.au

Di Pearson