 McIntosh Racing - towards 2000Aaron McIntosh is back & firing on all cylinders |
| AARON McINTOSH IS BACK & FIRING ON ALL CYLINDERS A silver medal for Aaron McIntosh at the Mistral World Championships proves that he's back on form, and back where he should be, amongst the best of the world's Olympic boardsailors. Going into the last two races of the series, a single point separated gold and silver medal positions, with McIntosh (37pts) needing two good results to snatch the world title from overnight leader Nikos Kaklamanakis from Greece (38pts). However, torrential rain and a lack of wind made for unsailable conditions in Buenos Aires, with the fleet sent back to shore without sailing the last two races. With such a narrow margin between silver and gold, McIntosh can be forgiven for reflecting on what could have been. "I had some frustrating results earlier in the regatta when the 6th and 7th on the first day of the finals could easily have been a 1st and 2nd" says McIntosh. "But I made some mistakes, lost the lead, and the results are what they are," he says philosophically. "The top six sailors here have changed position throughout the whole regatta and now we've got to the end of the week, it all comes back to where someone let go of the yoyo. Luckily I was alright - others were not so lucky." With the Olympic gold medallist Kaklamanakis added another gold to his collection and Argentina's Carlos Espinola (47pts) claimed the bronze. Israel's Amit Inbar stays in 4th place, only one point behind on 48pts. The defending world champion Lars Kleppich (Australia) was unceremoniously dumped from his spot, instead having to make do with 6th place overall and 52pts. Whilst missing out on a 4th world title by a single point would seem unbearable to most, McIntosh is happy with the result. His 10th placing at last year's world championships in Noumea capped off a frustrating year for McIntosh who saw his form slip internationally as other sailors asserted themselves on the world circuit. A "back to basics" approach to training has clearly paid dividends leaving the New Zealander pleased with his progress. "I'm happy but not satisfied" he says. "I've achieved everything I wanted to and more. I came to Argentina because I wanted to see how my last two months of training in New Zealand has gone. I stepped up my light air training that was a constant weak point in my technique. I've now proved to myself that I can win those races." Continues McIntosh, "this result is a nice bonus. It puts a little stamp next to the work I've done over the last two months." While this result is important, it's really only a stepping stone to the all-important YNZ Olympic Trials in Auckland next month (11 - 18 March, Eastern Beach, Howick). With at least three serious contenders in the men's boardsailing, it will go down to the wire. "I know I'll have a real ding dong battle with JP (Tobin) and Bruce (Kendall)" says McIntosh. "It will be a fight to the death, and only one of us can make it." FINAL RESULTS 2000 Mistral World Championships, Buenos Aires, Argentina Men's gold fleet: 1. Nikos KAKALAMANAKIS (Greece): 38pts 2. Aaron McINTOSH (NZL): 39pts 3. Carlos ESPINOLA (Argentina): 47pts 4. Amit INBAR (Israel): 48pts 5. Alexander GUYADER (France): 50pts 6. Lars KLEPPICH (Australia): 52pts |
Last updated 05/02/98