Oceanbridge Sail Auckland 2013 Champions Crowned

Oceanbridge Sail Auckland 2013 came to a roaring conclusion on the fourth and final day, with strong winds gusting up to 30 knots again pushing the sailors to their physical limits. As anticipated, Olympic Gold Medallists Jo Aleh and Polly Powrie won the regatta on Auckland’s Waitemata Harbour with a margin of twelve points. Paul Snow Hansen, who placed fifth in the men’s 470 at London 2012, finished in second overall with stand-in crew Chris Dawson, tied on points with James Turner and Carl Evans. Snow Hansen and Dawson won the final race of the regatta.

“We played it pretty safe downwind today,” said Paul about the final race in which they didn’t even fly their spinnaker on the last lap. “We ended up well ahead, so far ahead that we didn’t have to really sail too hard… just stay upright! They all capsized and we didn’t.”

Paul Snow Hansen plans to campaign 470 again toward 2016 with Aucklander Dan Willcox, so sailing with Chris was a steep learning curve. “We actually hadn’t sailed together since 2007. He did well and the regatta’s been awesome,” he said.

Commenting on enjoying racing as one fleet with the 470 Men, Champion helm Aleh commented, “It is great racing, but the boys really hate being beaten by us!”

More Information:
470 Results
Event Website

Image: Jo Aleh/Polly Powrie (NZL) © Suellen Hurling

Source: Kristine Lederis