Cooks’ Williams continues to keep heat on in women’s yacht race

 By ISAIAH IGISH

AFTER Day Three of yachting competition off Fairfax Harbour, Cook Islands’ Helema Williams is still maintaining her lead in the laser women’s race. 

Although finishing second in both her races yesterday, Williams managed to maintain her lead on six points. 

The Cook Islander, who is using this Pacific Games as a training run in her endeavour to qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympics, won her first four races on Monday and Tuesday.

Her teammate Teau McKenzie finished first yesterday in the first race with Australia’s Casissa Bridge topping the second race. 

In the men’s laser race, Mark Spearman continues his lead on five points followed by Maxime Mazard of New Caledonia on 10 points and Australia’s Thomas Vincent on 13 points.

Spearman came in first in the first race but could not repeat that set in the second race yesterday, finishing third behind Vincent (first) and Mazard. 

New Caledonia One’s Jerome Legall and Leo Bellouard are leading the Hobie Cat race on five points with their Team Two, consisting of Thomas Dupont and Jeremy Picot, on second and Fiji’s Shayne Brodiet and Taleilisi Brodie on third.

Results: Individuals – Hobie Cat: New Caledonia One 5, New Caledonia Two 9, Fiji 15, PNG 24, Tahiti 24.

Laser Men: Spearman (Australia) 5, Mazard (New Caledonia) 10, Vincent (Australia) 13, Taua Eliza Henri (Cook Islands) 20, Teiva Veronique (Tahiti) 26. Laser Women: Williams (Cook Islands) 6, McKenzie (Cook Islands) 10, Bridge (Australia) 12, Rose Numa (PNG) 24, Charlotte Taylor (Fiji) 31.

Team – Hobie Cat: New Caledonia 14, Fiji 46, Tahiti 52, PNG 53.

Laser Men: Australia 18, New Caledonia 36, Cook Islands 65, PNG 72

Laser Women: Cook Islands 16, PNG 56, New Caledonia 75, Fiji 84.