Sailing put on hold

Light winds caused the cancellation of Olympic sailing today, meaning New Zealand’s 470 sailors will have to try again tomorrow to complete their events.

For the defending women’s champions, Jo Aleh and Polly Powrie, it means their attempt to win a medal was put on hold.

Aleh and Powrie are on 48 points, well behind the first-placed British, and barely ahead of the United States, France and Japan, so a thrilling final race is anticipated.

Paul Snow-Hansen and Daniel Willcox, the New Zealand men’s 470 sailors, are placed ninth going into their final race.

In addition tomorrow, the men’s and women’s 49er medal races will be held.

New Zealand men Blair Tuke and Peter Burling are in the happy position of holding an unassailable lead and are assured of taking gold.

However, the New Zealand 49er women, Alex Maloney and Molly Meech, are locked in a really tight battle, with only one point separating the first four boats.