Tornado Worlds at Takapuna, New Zealand - Day 5

World #1 Aussies take the lead at Tornado Worlds

World #1's Darren Bundock and Glenn Ashby of Australia were untouchable in race seven of the 2008 Tornado World Championship being sailed off Takapuna, New Zealand, and have now taken the overall lead going into the final day.

On the breeziest day of the regatta so far, racing was fast and exciting with a 15-20 knot north easterly, choppy seas and sunny skies. Racing got underway on schedule at 1 o'clock and another two races were sailed; eight races are now completed with two more planned for tomorrow to decide the world title.

Rocketing off the start line in race seven the world ranked number one Australians pulled out to a comfortable lead which they maintained throughout the race crossing way ahead of Roland Gaebler and Gunnar Struckman of Germany who were 2nd.

The Aussies didn't fare so well in Race 8 and were in 16th place at the first mark rounding. Despite this they fought their way back to finish a respectable 6th which sees them take the overall lead after starting the day in second. With just two races remaining Bundock and Ashby are on 34 points and have a four point buffer over second place.

Leaders since day two, Guichard and Guyander of France slipped to now sit in 3rd place overall after a disappointing day on the water today. 5th in race 7 and then 23rd in race 8 they take a tumble from the lead but still have the title well in their grasp if they can out perform the other top contenders on the final day.

Both Guichard and Guyander, and Canada's Oskar Johansson and Kevin Stittle are equal on 39 points just five points back from the new leaders.

The on-form Canadians who are yet to qualify their country for an Olympic spot brought home a two more solid race results today with a 7th and a 4th which means they're looking good for a podium spot if they can finish well. Not surprisingly they remain the best placed of the ten countries fighting for national Olympic qualification.

Austria has overtaken New Zealand in this race for an Olympic berth despite a mixed day on the water. Roman Hagara and Hans Peter Steinacher recorded a DNF in race 7 but came out guns blazing in race 8 taking their first race win at this World Championship. While they slip out of the top ten from 9th overall back to 11th they did fare better than the kiwis today who fell from 7th overall to 12th just behind the Austrians.

Local favourites Aaron McIntosh and Mark Kennedy will be disappointed with their on water showing on the penultimate day; however they still look well placed to earn an Olympic berth for New Zealand. In race 7 they were 24th which becomes their discard race and were 15th in race 8 which sees them slip out of the top ten and back to 12th overall.

Blustery north easterlies and rain are predicted off Takapuna, North Shore City tomorrow for the final day of the 2008 Tornado World Championship. Racing is scheduled to start earlier than previously with race 9 set to get underway at 11am.

Results after Day 5: (8 races, 1 discard)