NSWIS trio cruise to world titles

NSWIS sailor Tom Slingsby has cruised to his fifth laser class world championship crown, while Nathan Outteridge and Iain Jensen won their third men’s 49er world championship title.

Slingsby dominated his competition to secure the victory with a race to spare, his fifth laser world championship crown in the last six years. 

“This could be my last Laser World Championship and it’s great to finish it so well,” said Slingsby. “I sailed my best this week in conditions that I traditionally haven’t done well in, so to win it like this feels really good. This is my fifth Laser world title but it’s my first in light conditions which is really satisfying.”

Slingsby entered the final day of competition with a 20 point lead over his nearest competitor, and showed no signs of slowing down as he powered to a huge victory ahead of the 2012 London Olympic Games.

The regatta was also a success for fellow NSWIS athlete Tom Burton, who finished fifth to record his best result at a laser world championship event.

Fellow NSWIS sailors Outteridge and Jensen also showed why they are considered great medal hopes for Australia at the 2012 London Olympic Games by winning their third 49er world championship as a pair.

The duo finished 13 points ahead of their nearest rivals to secure victory, with the win sealing Outteridge’s place in history as the only sailor to win four 49er world championship titles. HIs first came with former NSWIS scholarship holder Ben Austin, before combining with Jensen to win another three.

“It’s a great feeling to win a fourth World Championship and my third with Iain,” said Outteridge. “We didn’t have the best day’s racing today but we were able to show that we can still win when we’re not sailing at our best, we were able to tough it out and get the job done."

The pair’s next 49er event takes place in June in Weymouth, the venue hosting the Olympic sailing events, before the Games kick off in late July.