The Semaine Olympique Francaise ISAF Sailing World Cup regatta in Hyeres has come to a close with two of the NZL Sailing Team on the podium. Andy Maloney has finished with a silver medal and Andrew Murdoch bronze after the final medal races were sailed in extremely strong winds at Hyeres, France. Andy Maloney had a fantastic finish to his regatta in the Laser class, finishing second both in the medal race and overall standings to Philipp Buhl of Germany. Australian Tom Slingsby, who previously led the regatta, broke his mast during the medal race and as such, the NZL Sailing Team member Andrew Murdochs fifth place finish allowed him to stay in third overall. Dan Slaters medal race was up next and a fifth place finish saw him remain in fifth overall. New Zealander Matt Coutts placed eighth in the final race and ninth overall. The Womens' Match Racing round robin was completed, and the NZL Sailing Team lead by Stephanie Hazard finished 14th. Semaine Olympique Franaise in Hyres is one of seven Sailing World Cup events. At less than a hundred days to the Olympic Games, over 900 sailors from 55 nations competed in Hyres, France. Up next for the NZL Sailing Team are a string of World Championships: The Lasers will start on May 4th in Boltenhagen, Germany, and the Finn on May 10th in Falmouth, England. All other classes will also feature their World Championships in May, with the exception of the RS:X which have already been completed, and the Womens Match Racing which will start in June. Further updates on the NZL Sailing Team are available and on the NZL Sailing Teams Facebook Page, twitter @NZLSailingTeam and Website. Full results and Hyres regatta news is available on the regatta website. 2012 Semaine Olympique Francaise NZ's Final Standings Laser 2nd - Andy Maloney 3rd- Andrew Murdoch 13th - Sam Meech 40th- Thomas Saunders 91st- Michael Cate Finn 5th- Dan Slater 9th Matt Coutts 49er 13th- Peter Burling and Blair Tuke 29th - Josh Porebski / Marcus Hansen RS:X Women 11th Natalia Kosinska Womens Match Racing 14th- Stephanie Hazard, Jenna Hansen, Susannah Pyatt These sailors are supported by a coaching team of Jez Fanstone, Mark Howard, Phil Douglas, Ian Neely and Caroline Brisebois
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