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| Final report from Athens 2003 | | Posted On: 29/08/2003 | |
| Nikos Kaklamanakis was the victor ludorum at the Regatta Athens 2003, just as at last year’s event, proving that he remains as always one of the top competitors in the Mistral class. The Greek Olympic gold medallist in Atlanta finished 8th and 5th in the first two races of the series at this year’s Regatta. From that point on, however, he took matters into his own hands and began winning one race after another
In the third race of the series he had been practically certain to win as he was leading, but had the misfortune to collide with the Swiss athlete Anja Kaeser, with the ensuing familiar results. He abandoned the race and went to the Swiss woman’s rescue, was considered responsible for the collision, and was penalised with disqualification.
But from that point on he did not leave any room for doubt regarding his superiority, winning first place in the 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th races, and finishing fourth in today’s final race of the series. He won the gold medal despite being tied for first place with Israeli Gal Friedman, who today came first. Nevertheless, the Greek champion was ranked first as he had five first places as against only one for his Israeli opponent.
Portugal’s Joao Rodrigues was runner-up and Piotr Myszlka from Poland was third, while Chinese Zhou Yuanquo , who was in third place with 33 penalty points after the 8th race in the series and was still a contender for the gold, today sailed his worst race of the series, finishing 16th, though he won the bronze medal in the end.
Italian Olympic champion in Sydney Alessandra Sensini today gave her worst performance in the women’s Mistral class in this Regatta, coming sixth in the 9th race of the series, but in no danger of losing the gold as her placement still gave her more than enough points to win. Lee Lai-Shan from Hong Kong came second in today’s race and secured the silver medal, as France’s Faustine Merret who had come threateningly close, finished 7th. The winner of today’s race was New Zealander Barbara Kendal, while Jian Yin from China finished third. Greek champion Athina (Tonia) Frey today finished in 15th place and was ranked 10th overall with 76 penalty points.
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