Paris2024: McKiwis extend their lead; Mixed fortunes for Windsurfers
by Eduan Roos/Yachting NZ 30 Jul 15:19 NZST
49er racing on July 29 in Marseille at the Paris 2024 Olympic Regatta © World Sailing / Sander van der Borch
Isaac McHardie and Will McKenzie dominated Day 2 of the Olympic men's skiff (49er) competition in Marseille to extend their overall lead at the halfway stage of qualifying.
The Kiwis were at their ruthless best in challenging conditions, leading the last two races of the day from start to finish, to widen the gap between them and the Irish crew of Robert Dickson and Sean Waddilove to five points, after briefly surrendering their overnight lead.
Racing was delayed by over two hours before McHardie and McKenzie started the day with an eighth-place finish.
Another masterclass in light-wind sailing followed, with the "McKiwis" claiming back-to-back wins to close out day two.
"We were just really keen to try and back up our performance from yesterday, and I think two bullets [race wins] in the last two races of the day did that," McKenzie said.
"Conditions were extremely light - right at the bottom range of what we'd race in - and that sort of racing is extremely tricky. It's all about a good start, trying to find space on the race course, and just going fast. We managed to do that."
They led by a single point after day one and have now won three of their six races, with Dickson and Waddilove, and the Spanish team of Diego Botin and Florian Trittel their closest challengers.
Six more qualifying races are scheduled before Thursday's double-points medal race.
When asked what he attributed their strong start to, McKenzie said the pair have been working hard on performing under pressure.
"I'd like to think Isaac and I have been in a really good headspace going into these Games. We've worked a lot on the mental side, and I think we've done a really good job coping with the pressure so far. We seem to be working well together, and we're just really enjoying the event."
It's an approach they hope will serve them well as scrutiny increases in the second half of the competition - and with bigger breeze forecast for today.
"Looking too far ahead can really affect performance, so we're just taking it day by day," McKenzie added.
They've also received a special message of support from their predecessors in the class, Peter Burling and Blair Tuke.
The decorated Kiwi duo won a gold and two silver Olympic medals, before committing to defend the 37th America's Cup later this year.
"Pete and Blair have been supporting us since they went to the Games in Tokyo, and they've been really open about sharing information," McKenzie said.
"They've also been supporting us through these Games. They sent us a message yesterday saying 'well done.' It's nice to have them in our corner."
Elsewhere, Jo Aleh and Molly Meech fought back after a tough opening day in the women's skiff (49erFX), picking up two top-ten scores to move into 19th overall.
Several races in the windsurfing disciplines were abandoned due to a lack of wind, with the men finishing just one race.
However, it was enough for Kiwi Josh Armit to show he is one to watch. The 22-year-old beat a handful of the world's leading windfoilers to cross the line in fourth and led for most of the second race before it was ultimately called off.
In the women's event, Veerle ten Have was on the receiving end of a crash in the first race before twice falling victim to a dying breeze - first when she was leading the (abandoned) second race and later coming off her foils when she was at the front of the fleet in the competition's only other completed race.
Latest results and standings from the Olympic sailing event in Marseille:
Men's skiff fleet (20 boats)
1. Isaac McHardie/Will McKenzie (NZ) 1 3 (8) 8 1 1 - 14 pts
2. Robert Dickson/Sean Waddilove (Irl) (9) 4 1 4 2 8 - 19 pts
3. Diego Botin/Florian Trittel (Esp) (16) 6 4 5 11 2 - 28 pts
Women's skiff fleet (20 boats)
1. Sarah Steyaert/Charline Picon (Fra) 2 2 2 (8) 2 2 - 10 pts
2. Odile van Aanholt/Annette Duetz (Ned) 5 1 1 (10) 8 5 - 20 pts
3. Jana Germani/Giorgia Bertuzzi (Ita) (12) 9 9 1 3 6 - 28 pts
19. Jo Aleh/Molly Meech (NZ) 15 17 (20) 9 17 8 - 66 pts
Men's windsurfing (24 boards)
1. Nicolas Goyard (Fra) 1 - 1 pt
2. Nicolo Renna (Ita) 2 - 2 pts
3. Johan Soe (Den) 3 - 3 pts
4. Josh Armit (NZ) 4 - 4 pts
Women's windsurfing (24 boards)
1. Emma Wilson (GBR) 1 2 - 3 pts
2. Marta Maggetti (ITA) 5 3 - 8 pts
3. Maria Bazo German (PER) 4 4 - 8 pts
21. Veerle ten Have (NZ) 23 15 - 38 pts