Tony Lewis
ABU DHABI — The 2015 ISAF Sailing World Cup Final produced a fascinating opening day in Abu Dhabi, and it was business as usual for several of the defending champions setting out again on a gold medal course.
Great Britain’s Bryony Shaw made the perfect start in her pursuit of a second successful World Cup Final title at Abu Dhabi Sailing and Yacht Club (ADSYC), taking the first race win in the Women’s RS:X ahead of Brazilian Patricia Freitas and France’s Hélène Noesmoen.
Shaw followed up with a second place and another victory to lead by one point at the end of the day from Flavia Tartaglini of Italy who recorded finishes of 4th, 3rd and 2nd, and last year’s champion looks determined to hold on to her crown.
“It was fun sailing out there, nice offshore, windy conditions,” said Shaw. “It was great to get some speed in the wind but still there was pressure to not get stuck in the light winds. I feel like I had a good day’s sailing today. I’m here to try and win the gold medal so it’s great to already be ahead.”
Australian Tom Burton is another who clearly enjoys the conditions in Abu Dhabi. The defending champion scored one race win and a second place to lead the 20-boat Laser fleet from five-time Olympic medalist Robert Scheidt of Brazil who picked up a pair of third places.
Lying fourth is first race winner Jesper Stalheim from Sweden, and there is plenty of racing ahead in the Laser class as the chance for the athletes to discard their worst race result kicks in tomorrow. In the Laser Radial Holland’s Marit Bouwmeester leads on four points after one race win and a third place finish. The day’s other race win went to Great Britain’s Alison Young, but a 12th in the second race leaves her in 7th overall.
Sponsored by ADS Securities and Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority, the ISAF Sailing World Cup Final sent 144 competitors from 37 countries into action at ADSYC to contest eight of the ten classes chosen for next year’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, as well as an open kiteboarding competition.
