Young Kiwi sailing duo Alexandra Maloney and Molly Meech have added another regatta win to their impressive list of results in 2014, winning the 49erFX class at the ISAF Sailing World Cup in Abu Dhabi overnight.
The young NZL Sailing Team women's skiff pair, who placed fourth in today's medalrace, produced a run of consistently strong results throughout the regatta to finish 23 points clear of their closest rivals Lisa Ericson and Hanna Klinga of Sweden. Italy's Giulia Conti and Francesca Clapcich rounded out the podium with the bronze medal.
"It's been pretty amazing sailing conditions here," said Meech. "A lot better than I expected and the venue's been great. Quite a few of the top girls have been here and the racing's been really nice."
Maloney said the pair will now return to New Zealand to take a break.
"We go home for December and have a good block in New Zealand and then we'll take a nice break over Christmas and New Year and then we'll be in Miami for the ISAF Sailing World Cup regatta there for the first time," she said.
The Abu Dhabi event is new to the ISAF Sailing World Cup programme (and billed as the finals to the series) with 2014 acting as the forerunner to the invitation only event format which allows for only 20 boats in each event.
Marcus Hansen and Josh Porebski missed out on a podium finish in the men's skiff class by the narrowest of margins, finishing fourth overall on count back. Going into the final medal race the Kiwis were lying second however points around them were very tight and a sixth in the medal race saw them edged out of the top three.
Other Kiwis to feature in the medal racing at this regatta were Sam Meech in the Laser class, who finished second in the medal race and sixth overall. Josh Junior placed ninth overall in the Finn class.
ISAF Sailing World Cup Abu Dhabi - New Zealand's Final Results 1st Alexandra Maloney and Molly Meech - 49erFX 4th Marcus Hansen and Josh Porebski - 49er 6th Sam Meech - Laser 17th Andy Maloney - Laser 9th Josh Junior - Finn
