Action from the Paralympic Games Beijing 2008, 11th September 2008 - Day Four - Race 6.

The third day of racing at the 2008 Paralympic Games in Qingdao started with a three hour postponement on shore before the fleets were sent out in the gentlest of breezes, filling in to about four knots and only lasting long enough to get one shortened race in.

The Australian Team Coach on the SKUD and 2.4mR course, Adrian Finglas said 'The conditions were marginal to race in today.'

Weather:
Wind - SE 6 - 8 knots
Temp - 28'C
Humidity - 63%
Vissability - Cloudy

SKUD 18 - Two Person Keelboat - AUS Team: Dan Fitzgibbon and Rachael Cox (QLD).

The Australian SKUD 18 crew of Dan Fitzgibbon and Rachael Cox scored at fourth in the race today and hold onto their second place after day three of racing. The Aussies are five points away from the first placed American Team and one point ahead of the Canadians in third who have a 10 point cushion over the fourth placed British Team. There are five races to go.

'Today was a bit of a lottery out there, with very light unstable winds which made it pretty tough for everyone. We had a really close finish with Canada, with only millimetres in it, but they just pipped us at the finish line' said Dan Fitzgibbon.

'Today was a really tough day for Dan and Rach with the Americans covering them to secure the Gold medal position, and the Canadians covering them to capture the silver medal position, but they did really well' the coach, Adrian Finglas said.

Leader Board:
1st - USA - 8 points
2nd - CAN - 15 points
2nd - AUS - 16 points

Full Results click here

Sonar - Three Person Keelboat - AUS Team: Colin Harrison, Graeme Martin & Russell Boaden (WA).

The Australian Sonar Team of Colin Harrison, Graeme Martin and Russell Boaden sailed a third place in the one race. The French Team has a six point lead over the Aussies who have four points over the German Team.

Helmsman Colin Harrison who also competed in the 2004 Athens Paralympics, spoke about the race, 'It was pretty hard work out there today. We were set on a shortened course in an attempt to complete a race in the timeframe. Light breezes made downwind extremely difficult, especially because we were sailing right into a building current. We did well, and the hard work that we put in provided us a result consistent with our previous races'

The Australian Head Coach, Greg Omey said 'The Sonar team sailed a very consistent overall race, sticking to their strategy and consolidated a good third place, which has enabled them to extend their lead over the chasing pack on the leader board'

Leader Board:
1st - FRA - 9 points
2nd - AUS - 15 points
3rd - GER - 19 points

Full Results click here

2.4mR - One Person Keelboat - AUS Team: Aaron Hill (VIC)

Aaron Hill scored a 13th today and sits in 12th place after the third day of the regatta.

'It was a long, tough, frustrating day, and I drifted home with no wind. Hopefully we will have wind and a good day racing tomorrow' said Aaron Hill.

Leader Board:
1st - USA - 17 points
2nd - CAN - 18 points
3rd - NED - 18 points

12th - AUS - 50 points

Full Results click here

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Tomorrow's Schedule: 12th Sept: three races scheduled

Official Paralympic Website click here

by Laura Baldwin - Yachting Australia

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