BRITAIN'S EUROPE SAILOR CLOSER TO GOLD
by Isabelle Musy on 23 Sep 2000
Katrina Butler
Shirley Robertson grabbed her second victory of this regatta today on course D between Middle and North Head.
The British girl is doing very well in what is her third Olympics as she's got a comfortable lead overall over new second overall Argentina's Srena Amato who who crossed the finish line of race 5 just behind Robertson.
Denmark's gold medallist in Atlanta Kristine Roug, dropped to 3rd place in the point's table as only came in 13th.
Third in this heat 5 was surprising Canadian Beth Calkin who therefore jumps from 19th to 12th position overall.
Atlanta silver Medallist, Margriet Matthijsse, is slightly improving as she came in 6th and should therefore creep up a few places in the point's table.
But obviously light conditions don't suit Matthijsse, who was the strongest gold medal contender after dominating the circuit this year in this most physical demanding Olympic dinghy.
Matthijsse said before the regatta that the weather was what she feared the most and it's proved to be right.
Australia's Melanie Dennison had another average result as she finished in 19th and is therefore in 20th position overall.
Medals contention remains open but Robertson certainly made up step further towards gold after snatching victory in today's first race.
RACE 5 RESULTS: 1. GBR, 2. ARG, 3. CAN, 4. BEL, 5. ESP , 6. NED, 7. MEX, 8. CZE, 9. GER, 10. DEN.
PROGRESSIVE RESULTS AFTER 5 RACES AND ONE DISCARD: 1. GBR 9 PTS, 2. DEN 18 PTS, 3. ARG 22 PTS, 4. NED 28 PTS, 5. ESP 28 PTS, 6. ITA 29 PTS, 7. BEL 30 PTS, 8. GER 31 PTS, 9. IRL 34 PTS, 10. FIN 37 PTS.
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