Kiel Week, the biggest annual sailing event in the world, wrapped up on Sunday with Australia managing to be one of only two countries to win in multiple Olympic classes - Tornado, 470 women and the 470 men (the Ukraine took out both the men’s & women’s RS:X titles).

Multiple World Champions, Darren Bundock and Glenn Ashby continued their winning streak on the Olympic class Tornado.

The Aussie pair dominated posting six bullets from the 11 races, including victory in the final medal race.

Ashby said, “this was a great result. Kieler Woche has provided good preparation against our major competitors in the lead up to the 2006 Tornado European Championships. It’s always good to win using your own designed and manufactured sails.”

The women’s 470 class saw Elise Rechichi and Tessa Parkinson finish top of the table, with Lauren Jeffries and Rike Ziegelmayer in second place.

Rechichi and Parkinson sailed conservatively in the medal race, crossing in 8th place, enough to secure them a 7 point win.

Mathew Belcher and Nick Behrens finished in first place in the men’s division. Consistency paid off for the Queensland based duo, only posting one finish outside the top five throughout the regatta.

In the Laser class, Michael Blackburn continued his impressive return to the class, coming in 3rd place with Tom Slingsby one place further back in 4th.

Australian/AIS Sailing Team Head Coach, Victor Kovalenko was happy with the Team’s results, saying “I am very pleased with the individual performances of the crews and the Team as a whole. It is very encouraging to see multiple Australian crews/athletes vying for medal positions in a number of classes.”

The Australian Laser sailors will now head to Poland to prepare for the European Championships which runs from 5th – 12th July. The Tornado’s will travel to their Formula 18 World Championships in Hyeres France running from 8th – 15th July.  

Yachting Australia