Please select your home edition
Edition
Stoneways Marine 2021 - LEADERBOARD

2002 49er World Championships in Hawaii Overall

by Royal Yachting Association 23 Jun 2002 19:42 BST

Brits take Silver and Bronze at 49er World Championships

The 2002 49er World Championships have ended in Kaneohe, Hawaii, with fantastic results for team GBR.

The final day was sailed in perfect conditions with 17-22 knots and three very close races. It nearly went all the way-down to the last race, but in the end Iker Martinez and Xabi Fernandez of Spain took the World Title with a race to spare, but the fight was still on for the Silver and Bronze medal positions.

After the first two races of the final day, RYA team GBR sailors Chris Draper/Simon Hiscocks were one point ahead of team mates Paul Brotherton/Mark Asquith.

In the final race, it was the Irish who led at mark one with Draper in second place and Brotherton third, but Draper was determined and soon sailed past the Irish and away from the fleet. This bullet in the final race gave him the Silver medal with a 5 point margin.

Draper commented, “I am delighted that we have managed to progress so quickly having only been sailing together for 6 weeks. Our goal was top 15 and we have obviously blown that away, it feels fantastic!”

Brotherton knew he just needed to stay ahead of Santiago Lopez-Vasquez/Javier De La Plaza of Spain in order to take the Bronze medal. Despite having to do a penalty turn shortly after the start for a foul when he attempted a port tack start and misjudged it, Lopez was chasing hard, making places on every leg. Brotherton ended up losing places just by attempting to cover Lopez in the shifty conditions, but did enough to finish 5th and take the Bronze medal.

Brotherton said "I am delighted that it all came together in the end. We achieved and exceeded all our outcome and process goals. I was impressed with my crew Mark's performance this week, who after only a short time in the boat with me delivered well when it counted."

Alister Richardson/Peter Greenhalgh finished in seventh place overall, making it three British teams in the top ten. Andy Rice/Harvey Hillary finished 17th overall.

As well as Spain and Great Britain, other competitors qualifying their countries for the 2004 Olympics were; ISAF top world ranked Rodion Luka and George Leonchuk (Ukraine); Pietro and Gianfranco Sibello (Italy); Michael Hestbaek and Rasmus Van Hansen (Denmark); and Pieter Lantermans and Pim Nieuwenhuis (Netherlands).

There are still two more qualifier events prior to the 2004 Games: the 2003 World Championship and the 2004 event.

Gold Fleet Final Series results: (top 10, 10 races, 2 discards)

PosHelmCrewNatPts
1Iker MARTINEZXabi FERNANDEZESP32
2Chris DRAPERSimon HISCOCKSGBR40
3Paul BROTHERTONMark ASQUITHGBR45
4Santiago LOPEZ-VAZQUEZJavier DE LA PLAZAESP52
5Rodion LUKAGeorge LEONCHUKUKR58
6Pietro SIBELLOGianfranco SIBELLOITA62
7Alistair RICHARSONPete GREENHALGHGBR63
8Michael HESTBAEKRasmus VAN HANSENDEN69
9Pieter LANTERMANSPim NIEUWENHUISNED70
10Morgan LARSONEd SMYTHUSA73

Related Articles

49er, 49erFX and Nacra 17 Europeans Day 4
Bergmann with Wille keep their nerve to move into FX lead Olympic veterans in the 49erFX Marla Bergmann with Hanna Wille (GER) kept their nerve and used their speed to move into the lead, scoring the fewest points on day 4. Posted on 6 Jun
49er, 49erFX and Nacra 17 Europeans Day 3
A six-hour bake on the water Veteran and multi-Olympic race officer Sulis was clear at the morning briefing, "Our priority is to get three races for the 49er so they can progress to the gold fleet." Posted on 5 Jun
49er, 49erFX and Nacra 17 Europeans Day 2
It can be easy to win! For everyone else, it was a day of tense battles Win the start, grab the first shift, consolidate and extend! The winning formula is easy, and those who got ahead took full advantage of an easy course once they got to the front. For everyone else, it was a day of tense battles. Posted on 5 Jun
49er, 49erFX and Nacra 17 Europeans Day 1
Austrians Prettner and Flachberger tip into early lead Keanu Prettner with Jakob Flachberger (AUT) were locked in a light air duel with defending European Champions Hernan Umpiere with Fernando Diz (URU). The two teams were tipped by their fellow competitors as the ones to watch in light winds and delivered. Posted on 3 Jun
49er, 49erFX and Nacra 17 Europeans starts Tuesday
The fleet is ready for racing in Thessaloniki, Greece A new chapter begins for the fast doublehanded classes. The Champions from Paris 2024 have mostly either retired or are taking breaks for various reasons, leaving the start of the new quadrennial to a new group of sailors. Posted on 2 Jun
Young Aussie squad ready to shine at Europeans
Australia's fast boat sailors are set for the 49er, 49erFX and Nacra 17 Europeans in Greece Australia's fast boat sailors are set to take on the 49er, 49erFX and Nacra 17 European Championships this week in Thessaloniki, Greece. With up to 18 races scheduled over the next six days, it's set to be a high-intensity regatta. Posted on 2 Jun
Canadians set at 49er, 49erFX & Nacra 17 Europeans
Racing will take place June 3-8 in Thessaloniki, Greece A total of six Canadian sailors will take part in the 2025 49er, 49erFX and Nacra 17 European Championships, to be held June 3-8 in Thessaloniki, Greece. Posted on 30 May
2026 Junior Worlds set for Medemblik, Netherlands
A famous and beautiful sailing venue with a deep-rooted legacy in Olympic-class racing The International 49er and Nacra 17 Class Association proudly announces that the 2026 Junior World Championships for the 49er, 49erFX, and Nacra 17 classes will take place in Medemblik, Netherlands, from July 19 to 26th, 2026. Posted on 17 May
Zhik expands Danish Sailing Team partnership
Continuing for another four years as Official Technical Apparel Supplier Zhik, global leader in high-performance water wear, is proud to announce its partnership with the Danish Sailing Team will continue for another four years, as Official Technical Apparel Supplier through to the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Posted on 6 May
Australia's next wave at French Olympic Week
Morris faced light and patchy breeze in the must-win medal showdown French Olympic Week in Hyères delivered everything from the roaring mistral winds that pushed physical limits to the patience-testing light airs that demanded calm and clarity. Posted on 27 Apr