Today's Sailing News 

Olympic Sailing:  Butler has a g'day

The Mistral sailboard class is currently contesting their 2000 Oceanic Continent Championship.  Significant is the venue- Sydney Harbor.  This is the same venue as next month's Olympic regatta.

3 races were sailed in both the men's and women's fleet.  6 different board sailors won the 6 races.  

In the men's fleet Nicolas Beudou of France, Aaron Mcintosh of New Zealand and Kenjo Motokazu of Japan were race winners.  

1996 Olympic Gold Medallist Lee Lai Shan of Hong Kong, Lanee Butler of the USA and Barbara Kendall of New Zealand were race winners in the women's fleet.  

With a 4th and a 2nd in addition to her win Butler trails Shan by only one point.  In the men's fleet Aaron Mcintosh is 6 points ahead of an Argentinean sailor.  

Interestingly New Zealand sailors won races in both the men's and women's fleet.  Four more days of sailing remain.  Sailors who do well should gain confidence sailing on the Olympic venue.

210 Nationals

A total of 5 races have been sailed during the first 2 days of the 210 Nationals.  Venue is lower Michigan's Gull Lake.  

The top 3 places in the standings are close.  Firewood from South Shore Yacht Club in Milwaukee leads by .5 points over "4" from Hingham Mass.  1.5 points further back is Screamin' Tuna winner of the recent Midwest Championship regatta sailed on Gull Lake.

The next 3 boats are further back, but also close together. 8.5 points out of 3rd is Gullstone from the home lake club.  Tied for 5th are Pear Tree from Hingham Ma and Topat from Muskegon MI.  

2 races are scheduled for Friday.