Day 1  Spash Worlds:  Two Kiwis in top ten

Dutch sailors hold the first five places overall after two races in the Splash Worlds in Puck, Poland

                                                                                            The Kiwi Team marching in the Opening ceremony for the 2005 Splash Worlds

Best performed New Zealander was Andy Maloney, in seventh place, followed by Ersin Buckley in eighth. There 104 boats in the regatta

Chris Buckley sent Sail-World this report from Poland, after the first race:

'Racing is underway and our team is off to a solid start with 5 sailors in the top 12 after the first heat.  Andy and Ersin look like they are going to continue where they left off in the Team Selection Series after 21 heats, they were only three points apart.

'We didn't expect Ersin to sail. He has suspected glandular fever. He is getting good attention from the Polish medical service and they are saying it's a day by day call whether or not he sails. A teenager taking it easy? Yeah Right!'
 

Results

From Chris Buckley + KS 260705

Day 2  Splash Worlds:  Onwards and upwards for Kiwis

New Zealand’s Andy Maloney has been the one of the best performed competitors in the 2005 Splash Worlds, sailed in Puck, Poland.

Maloney has finished the second day of racing with a win in Race 3 and a third in Race 4.

These two outstanding results in the 104 competitor fleet have lifted him to third in the overall standings – equal on points to second placed Mark Bonsink (NED).

A second NZ sailor Thomas Barker has also had an excellent day with wins in both races sailed in his fleet. After a lack-lustre first day of racing, when he finished with a 12^th and 14^th on his scorecard, Barker has moved up the standings from 21st after the first day to be eighth overall – however another good day could see him move into the top five.

Racing continues today.

For full results see: http://www.splashworlds.org/page.php?id=136

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Day 3  Splash Worlds:  Maloney moves in second overall

New Zealand’s Andy Maloney has had an up and down third day at the 2005 Splash Worlds, sailed in Puck, Poland.

Maloney started well with a second in the first race of the day, but crashed out with a 17th in the second race. Fortunately the discard race is now permitted and the 17th was dropped from his series score. Overnight leader, Hielke Dijkstra (NED) suffered a similar fate - having a seventh and a 44th which dropped him down to third place in the overall standings.

New points table leader is Mark Bosink (NED) who had a very consistent second and third placings, but only holds a six point lead after being equal with Maloney on second place overall going into the third day.

The next best placed Kiwi is Ersin Buckley in seventh overall - scoring a ninth and sixth placings today, and was able to clear his OCS placing after the application of the discard.

Two gun, Thomas Barker (NZL) couldn't repeat his back to back wins of yesterday and is now in 11th overall with placings of 15th and 13th - discarding the former in his overall score

For full results see: http://www.splashworlds.org/page.php?id=136  Photos by: Cardeli

Day 4  Splash Worlds:  Maloney wins Bronze medal - four Kiwis in top ten

Photo: Cardeli

Hielke Dijkstra (NED) won the Splash Worlds in Puck, Poland after a tough battle with Mark Bonsink (NED). Tied on points after the final race Dijkstra took the title on count-back. Andy Maloney of New Zealand was third.  Other top ten NZ placings were: Blair Tuke 6th; Ersin Buckley 7th; Mathew Jacobsen 10th. Thomas Barker (NZL) was 11th.

This report from the Kiwi team in Puck, Poland:

"Our sailors showed their stuff early. In the first race of the Gold fleet division, we rocked the socks of the Dutch big time. First four boats crossing the finish line had NZL on the sail, and on top of that we had seven Kiwis in the top ten. Wind picked up to 20 kts in the last two races and the big Dutch sailors pulled it back from the edge.

'New Zealand still got a podium place and two sailors tied for sixth and then a tenth and an 11th. We were close to more gongs, but the big thing is the depth and young age of our sailors. All the top Kiwi sailors have two more shots at the top spot.'

Splash Final overall leaders, 104 entries:

1 NED 1980 Hielke Dijkstra 38,0pts 2 2 3 3 7 (44) 19 1 1
2 NED 1790 Mark Bonsink 38,0pts 1 2 9 1 3 2 12 8 (14)
3 NZL 2257 Andy Maloney 42,0pts 3 6 1 3 2 (17) 2 14 11
4 NED 1247 Steyn Schiltkamp 45,0pts 4 1 6 7 (24) 5 6 12 4
5 BEL 2145 Laura Maes 53,0pts 5 3 2 13 1 8 5 (22) 16

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