Ashby and Bundock Claim Olympic Silver!
World champions Darren Bundock and Glenn Ashby have finished second to the Spanish crew of Fernando Echavarri and Anton Paz in the Tornadoes.
In the Medal race the pair admitted they erred at the race start, costing them all hope of grabbing the gold medal that had eluded Bundock in two previous Games appearances.
“It’s my first Olympics so to come away with a silver medal I’m happy,” Ashby said.
“We’re a little bit disappointed . . . with the start we had, we just got too far back.”
In the windy conditions off Qingdao Bundock and Ashby were 9th at the first marker and a shattered rotation arm on their mast only aggravated their desperate attempt to make up the required points difference.
They finished fifth, with Spain - holding off the challenge in fourth - winning gold and Argentina taking bronze.
“We came here to win gold, but sometimes things don’t always go the way you like,” Ashby said.
“Spain were very strong all week long, they hardly made any mistakes.”
Bundock says he and Ashby were not able to get to the front, but they are pleased with securing silver.
The medal is Australia’s third for sailing in the Beijing Games, after gold in the men’s and women’s 470 class.
Olympic Sailing Information
For results and live feeds on all the Olympic racing, head over to www.isaf.org or www.sailing.org
With the countdown well and truly underway for the 2008 Olympic Games, to keep you up to date please click here to download the racing schedule (excel file). The Tornado fleet will commence racing from the 15th of August.
I have been told live internet footage of the racing will be available from the following site.
http://www.sailing2008.org/en/
More news from Ashby Sails:
2008 is certainly a big year for Mel and I. With the Olympics this year in August, this is certainly going to be a big challenge both on and off the water. I would like to take the opportunity to thank friends, customers and family for your ongoing support during the past year.
With spending hundreds of hours designing, testing and working on our Tornado sail, I have been able to implement many of the design aspects and developments into a range of classes.
I am excited to release my new 2008 designs for the 2008/09 Australian World Class Championships.
Click on the headings below for more information on Ashby Sails special offers.
Ashby Sailcraft in conjunction with Gel-tek are gearing up for an exciting time with the
2008/09 A Class World Championships in Belmont Australia later this year.
A Class Promotional Video
Click to launch flash video, or go to the video page for more formats.
Glenn is offering customers of Ashby Sails (main sail) / Ashby Sailcraft (platform) the opportunity to be involved in a half day coaching clinic to be held prior to the World Championships at Belmont (location for the Worlds). An excellent opportunity to prepare yourself for the World Championships and in the conditions you will compete in. More
