SINI Sailors finish 11tth

Nine races were held in a mixture of conditions in the men’s 49er fleet, allowing the team to test developments made over the autumn period against top sailors from other countries.

Individual race scores included four finishes in the top five, including a win in the final race.

This year’s regatta was a good opportunity for nations to test the venue for the ISAF Worlds next December, where the first qualification spots for the 2012 Games will be allocated. Although a key regatta in which to perform, this was an opportunity for the Northern Irish pair to test the venue and conditions they are likely to encounter in a year’s time.

The team will now continue preparations for 2011 with a training and competition plan which has a firm focus on 2012 qualification.

The 49er pair are both funded by the Sport Northern Ireland Athlete Support Programme and are members of the Sports Institute Northern Ireland