Sai: Blanck misses bronze by a single point

AAP General News (Australia)
08-23-2004
Sai: Blanck misses bronze by a single point

By Sharon Labi

ATHENS, Aug 22 AAP - A ruthless Danish sailor and a single point today robbed Sarah
Blanck of Australia's first sailing medal of the Athens Olympics.

Blanck, who was in gold medal contention earlier in the regatta, went into the final
race of the Europe class ranked 4th behind Signe Livbjerg of Denmark.

But Livbjerg, who didn't chase silver and was desperate to protect her third place
standing, forced Blanck to the back of the fleet and shadowed her the entire race.

It was a disruptive final day of racing for the single-handed dinghy sailors with the
starting gun firing more than three hours after the race was scheduled to get under way
because of a lack of wind.

Conditions in the Saronic Gulf have been mild and unfavourable for the Australians,
who are used to stronger winds.

Blanck, 2002 Europe class world champion, said she was disappointed to miss out on a medal.

"Obviously it's disappointing right now," said Blanck, who hails from Melbourne but
trains in Sydney.

"I tried my best though and it was just one of those things where I was pushed off the course."

Blanck said she had no ill feeling towards the Danish sailor, adding she would have
used the same tactics if she was in her position.

"It was smart I think, she sailed well ... we were in the bunch at the first mark and
the smart thing was to do that.

"She just covered me the whole last lap of the race."

Blanck, who made her Olympic debut in Athens, said no amount of training could have
prepared her for the pressure of the competition.

"No matter what anyone says to you, the amount of mental preparation, the amount of
gym and running and everything that you do, I guess I wasn't quite prepared... I didn't
realise how hard it was going to hit when the pressure came on."

AAP sal/sp

KEYWORD: OLY SAI AUST

2004 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.