Slingsby setting for another title before Olympics
Laser class medal racing at the Kiel Week Regatta in Germany will be held tonight Australian time and, barring an unforeseen problem which would prevent him starting the race, Slingsby leads by enough points to confirm a gold medal at the event.
'Tom Slingsby in action at Kiel, Germany (Photo credit - Kiel Week Regatta)'
©
Click Here to view large photo
The dual World Champion and Number One Laser sailor in the world has a 30 point lead on his nearest competitor, Portugal's Lima Gustavo on 47 points while Canada's Rasmus Mygren Rasmus is in third on 48 points.
Australian Sailing Team Director Michael Jones said the result showed Slingsby had fully recovered from a recent bout of glandular fever and an impacted wisdom tooth which affected his performance at the Semaine Olympique Francaise at Hyeres, France in April.
"It's good to see Tom back in form and, with a strong fleet of Olympic representatives competing in the Laser class at Kiel Week, this is a great result ahead of Qingdao," said Jones.
"He struggled at Hyeres, in agony from his tooth, which was then treated in Monaco and he was prescribed antibiotics but he remained unwell.
"Blood tests were done when he returned to Australia and showed he was suffering glandular fever.
"All he has to do tonight is sail a safe race and he'll be standing on top of the podium yet again."
Once medal races are complete overnight, Slingsby will travel to Nieuwpoort, Belgium for the Laser European Championships and then on to Hong Kong to take part in an Australian Sailing Team pre-Games training camp.
Final results for Kiel Week's Laser medal race will be updated Monday morning.
by Nicole Browne 
Rye, WA
