Ferris Leads Yngling World Champs
Date Released: 21 July 2005
From: Jodie Perkins
Ferris And Crew Move Into The Lead At Yngling Worlds
The New Zealand team lead by Sharon Ferris leads the 2005 Yngling World Championships in Mondsee, Austria. Now over half
way through the regatta they have recorded two race wins and hold a narrow two point lead over Sally Barkow and crew of
the USA.
Race six was hampered by protests which meant a nervous wait for the kiwi girls. "There are a lot of protests from race
6. Against the race committee and also different boats on boats we are just waiting to see what happens," said Ferris.
But results have been posted and their first place stands, shooting them from 3rd into the lead.
Light and inconsistent breeze has set the scene for racing so far at the Yngling World Champs. "Day Three and we are
getting better and better. Again in very light and shifty conditions, that we are told are just like China we finished
with a 4th and a 1st in the 34 boats that are racing," says Ferris.
2005 Yngling World Championships
Top Five Standings after Day Three
1st - Sharon Ferris, Raynor Smeal & Ashley Holtum (NZL) - 23 points
2nd - Sally Barkow, Carrie Howe & Debbie Capozzi (USA) - 25 points
3rd - Ulrike Schumann, Runa Kappel & Ute Hopfner (GER) - 35 points
4th - Sarah Ayton, Anne Lush & Liza McDonald (GBR) - 42 points
5th - Nicola Bethwaite, Karyn Gojnich & Helen Impey (AUS) - 43 points
Ferris and her crew are sailing against many of the international stand-outs in the world of Yngling racing which was
introduced to the Olympic sat last years Games in Athens. Ayton of Great Britain who currently sits in 5th was part of
the Olympic Gold medal winning team, while the Russians who dominated the recent Keil week regatta are back in 6th.
The Ukrainian team lead by Taran Ruslana took silver at Athens, and has had a solid season so far this year with 2nd at
Spa Regatta and 3rd at Keil Week. Currently they're back in 9th spot on the leader board. Ferris, sailing with a
different crew, took 7th place in Athens.
Ferris, Smeal and Holtum from the Bay of Islands Yacht Club have this year enlisted the help of Bruce Kendall as coach
and as a newly formed crew have spent hours fine-tuning their teamwork in New Zealand before heading off to campaign in
the European regattas.
Ferris is pleased with the sails they're using built and designed by David Ferris, her brother. "David, thank you for
the fantastic boat speed we have - your sails are fantastic!"
No racing is scheduled overnight tonight and will resume on Friday in Austria. Four races remain and the regatta
concludes on Saturday. For full results see the regatta website through the link below.
ENDS