SINGAPORE AIRLINES SAIL AUCKLAND 2008 - TORNADO

35th Medwell & Offer

Tornado skipper Darren Bundock and crewmember Glenn Ashby went into
yesterday's racing second overall, mindful they had to finish on top of the
leader board because the weather forecast made it unlikely there would be
racing on the final, scheduled day of the regatta. They won the first race
of the day and placed sixth in the second race, giving them the overnight
lead.

When the winds gusted to 36knots this morning with an average of 27-28
knots, racing was cancelled and the Australians were declared winners with
34 points, just five points ahead of Canada and France who were tied at 39
points. Canada claimed second place and France dropped to third on
countback.

While disappointed there was no opportunity for a final tussle on the water,
Bundock and Ashby were pleased with the win and their performance in a
regatta that saw them claw their way back through the field from a 19th
placing early in the event.

"We'll take a win any way it comes," said Bundock.

"This win means a lot to us as we've now won the last four ISAF grade one
events."

Bundock is the only member of the Australian Sailing Team competing at the
Beijing Olympic Games to have previously won an Olympic Medal and, with the
Tornado class currently not included in the London 2012 Olympic Games
schedule, he and Ashby are focused on success in China later this year.

"We've got the boat going very good in light winds and now in strong winds
as well so we're ready for anything, said Bundock.

"Our focus is firmly on gold in Qingdao - I've got the silver from Sydney
and now we're going for the gold."

Bundock and Ashby have been sailing together since 2005 and have won six
World Championship titles together, including two in the Tornado class. For
Bundock, this is his sixth world title in the Tornado, having won in 2006,
2003, 2002, 2001 and 1998. Ashby is a champion A-cat sailor, having won five
world titles and his skills have combined with Bundock's Tornado experience
to create a formidable representative team in the fast and furious,
multi-hulled Tornado class.

At 36, Bundock says he's as fit as he's ever been and sailing at his best,
but the addition of Ashby brought new energy which they hope will pay off at
what could be his last Olympic campaign.

"As everyone knows, China is going to be a completely different kettle of
fish with the light conditions in Qingdao, but we've been preparing for that
for the past two years and we're confident about our potential there," said
Bundock.

The pair's success over those past two years has also brought the pressure
of expectation.

"Everyone is getting used to being beaten by us now and I guess people are
starting to see us as favourites, but I don't know if that's a good or bad
thing," laughed Bundock.

Australian Sailing Team Director Michael Jones believes the team's
consistency is what puts them at the top of their sport.

"These guys really are at the top of their game with the worst result over
the past three years being a fourth at the ISAF Olympic Classes World
Championships in Portugal last year," said Jones.

"This win is particularly pleasing in light of the tricky conditions at
Takapuna, because while the team has always had good speed, this result
shows their ability to race in more challenging conditions.

"Coming back after a bad start to the regatta, sitting down at 19th after
day one, shows their maturity and proves they are strong contenders to win
in Beijing."

by Nicole Browne