STAR'S RACE 1 GOES TO GREAT BRITAIN
by Isabelle Musy on 23 Sep 2000
Jessica Statham
The first race of the day started at half past noon in a south-westerly 6 to 8 knots breeze today outside the Sydney Harbour off the South Head.
Britain's pair Ian Walker and Mark Cowell won heat 1 from Spain's Jose Maria van der Ploeg and his Rafael Trujillo.
Brazil's Torben Grael, gold medallist in Atlanta finished in 3rd after rounding the first two marks in 6th.
Current top world ranked, Australia's Colin Beashel and David Giles picked up from 14th position at mark 2 to 8th in the finish.
The Australian pair had a bad start on the wrong side of the line when the wind shifted.
There were big gaps in the fleet as the Aussies crossed the finish line only 4:08 minutes behind the leader.
US Mark Reynold and Magnus Liljedahl, among the strongest favourites for a gold medal, had a disappointing heat 1 as they crossed the finish line in 13th.
Race's 1 winner, Ian Walker, 470 silver medallist in Atlanta, only started to sail in the Star Class about a year and half ago after recovering from the loss of his 470 crew who died in a car crash.
The British skipper, who won Tour Voile 2000 this summer aboard Adrian Stead's Barlo Plastics, proved to be competitive in the oldest Olympic sailing class as he finished in the top ten on his first Star World Championship.
RACE 1 RESULTS: 1, GBR. 2. ESP, 3. BRA, 4. BER, 5. NED, 6. GRE, 7. CAN, 8. AUS, 9. ITA, 10. ARG.
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