Gold Medal at ISAF World Cup Abu Dhabi for Maloney and Meech

Gold Medal at ISAF World Cup Abu Dhabi for Maloney and Meech

Alexandra Maloney and Molly Meech have won the 49erFX event at the 2014 ISAF Sailing World Cup Abu Dhabi Regatta which concluded overnight in the United Arab Emirates.

The young NZL Sailing Team women’s skiff pair, who placed 4th in today’s medal race, sailed an excellent regatta to finish 23 points clear of their closest rivals Lisa Ericson and Hanna Klinga of Sweden. Italy’s Giulia Conti and Francesca Clapcich rounded out the podium with the bronze medal.

"It's been pretty amazing sailing conditions here," said Meech. "A lot better than I expected and the venue’s been great. Quite a few of the top girls have been here and the racing's been really nice."

Maloney added, "It was a really cool event and we're happy to come away with the win. The competition's been really good. Abu Dhabi has been a beautiful place to sail, the water is really clear and it's been amazing."

Maloney and Meech will now return to New Zealand to take a break; "We go home for December and have a good block in New Zealand and then we'll take a nice break over Christmas and New Year and then we'll be in Miami for the ISAF Sailing World Cup regatta there for the first time."

The Abu Dhabi event is new to the ISAF Sailing World Cup programme (and billed as the finals to the series) with 2014 acting as the forerunner to the ‘invitation only’ event format which allows for only 20 boats in each event.

Marcus Hansen and Josh Porebski missed out on a podium finish in the men’s skiff class by the narrowest of margins, finishing fourth overall on count back. Going into the final medal race the kiwis were lying second however points around them were very tight and a 6th in the medal race saw them edged out of the top three.

Other kiwis to feature in the medal racing at this regatta were Sam Meech in the Laser class, who finished 2nd in the medal race and 6th overall. Josh Junior placed 8th in the Finn medal race and ends the regatta in 9th overall.

ISAF Sailing World Cup Abu Dhabi
New Zealand’s Final Results; Full Results here

1st Alexandra Maloney and Molly Meech – 49erFX
4th Marcus Hansen and Josh Porebski – 49er
6th Sam Meech – Laser
17th Andy Maloney – Laser
9th Josh Junior – Finn

About the NZL Sailing Team
The NZL Sailing Team includes New Zealand’s top Olympic campaigners who have made the top 20% in their most recent (respective) class World Championships or pinnacle event and have shown consistency of performance over the year including other significant Championships.

Yachting New Zealand’s High Performance Programme is focussed on winning medals at the Olympics in Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020.

NZL Sailing Team sailors all started out at grass roots yacht clubs around the country and with commitment, dedication and drive have risen to be world class athletes; they work hard in the gym, train long hours on the water and are supported by great coaches.

ENDS

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