Windsurfing New Zealand

Profile on Tom Ashley in NZ Herald http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/4/story.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10506437

Yachting New Zealand’s Olympic Squad members Jo Aleh and Tom Ashley took time out from their busy schedules to give attendees of the New Zealand Laser Association’s Annual Laser Nationals Dinner an insight into their lives on the campaign trial to the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Tom Ashley from New Zealand has secured the 2008 RS:X Men’s World Championship in the medal race sailed in blustery conditions off Takapuna beach. Alessandra Sensini has taken out the women’s title with a win in the medal race today.

South easterly winds gusting to 25 knots were seen for the first time during this event and the medal races took place close to shore with a crowd of spectators on the beach and nearby ramp.

In the mens medal race JP Tobin placed 3rd and Tom Ashley 4th, Zubari (Ashleys greatest threat) placed 9th, and 1st and 2nd were well back coming in, so this should be Toms event. The womens medal race has just started (12:50), this is the decider between Kendall and Sensini. At mark 1 Sensini leads, Barbara is 1 min behind in 4th. Wind is 15-20 knots. ark 2, Sensini leads, Barbara in 3rd 29s behind.

New Zealand retains the lead for men and women at the RS:X World Championships after day four of racing off Takapuna.

Underway at one o’clock in light, shifty conditions it was a very physical racing for the gold fleets that were first on the water. Consistency was elusive for many competitors.

The light weight windsurfers with the fitness level required to pump the sail of the RS:X board around the course in the light winds had the edge today with just a touch of luck required also.

Barbara Kendall 16th, 1st in races 7,8 Womens Gold, Tom Ashley 3rd, 13th and JP Tobin 9th,4th in Mens Gold races 7,8. Overall after 8 races. Womens Gold: 1.Kendall (14), 2.Sensini (20), 3.Alabau (26). Mens Gold: 1.Ashley (26), 2.Zubari (34), 3.Miarczy?ski (37) ... 7.Tobin (48)

Windsurfers at the 2008 RS:X World Championships waited ashore with another postponement on day three of the regatta until a breeze filled from the south and racing started just before 2 o’clock. The local sailors lead with both Tom Ashley and Barbara Kendall topping the leader board going into the rest day.

The men’s fleet were first on the water sailing race five of the eleven race series then making way for the women’s fleet to race. A second race for both men and women followed.

Variable conditions - variable results. Barbara Kendall records 2 and 2 in Blue Group while Allesandra Sensini takes a 3 in Yellow. Tom Ashley comes in 13 and 4 in the Mens Blue Group - more later

Racing at the RS:X World Championships in Takapuna, New Zealand continued today with both the men and women sailing two races each.

Conditions were excellent with a NNE breeze increasing through the afternoon and clear and sunny skies. The women’s fleet was first out, racing in the early afternoon in around 10 knots of wind. The men followed starting mid afternoon in a freshening breeze of around 15 knots.

Tom Ashley 1,1 today, Barbara Kendall 4,1 - Hot!!! Full report later