Bryony Shaw takes gold at the RS:X World Cup in Miami, whilst Dempsey (who did secure entry in the end!) finishes 5th. Full info from the RYA and Team GB:
Shaw has certainly found her groove as she also looked to defend her title from this event 12 months ago. Counting no worse than a fifth place across her 11 races heading into Friday’s penultimate day, the 31-year-old old pumped her way to a second and a fourth in the two light wind races the class managed, and turned her 21 point lead at the start of the day into a 33 point margin by the end of it.
The Weymouth sailor was delighted to claim gold with an impressive all-round performance amid some tricky conditions at this season-opening event.
“We’ve had a really mixed week of wind and today has been the lightest so it’s been much more like a game of chess I would say. I’ve been trying to stay in touch with my closest rivals. The wind’s been really tricky with an offshore breeze so we’re really having to play the percentages. I did that well in the two races [today],” said Shaw of her display on Friday.
“Considering we’ve had all winds from 25 knots down to five it’s been a really broad-ranging week and I think that’s played to my strengths. Every day I’ve been edging that points gap bigger and bigger so I’ve been pleased to start off the year well.
“Miami was a target regatta for me and it’s important to kick-start the year on a high with a view to trying to get medals at the next Olympic Games. It’s important to start winning now and try to keep that momentum going.”