Purdie's title bid hit by disqualification

Karl Purdie's bid for another world OK Dinghy title struck a snag after he was disqualified in race three in Wellington yesterday.

The Worser Bay sailor thought he had finished the second day of the world championships in second place behind fellow Kiwi Paul Rhodes but the disqualification dropped him to 16th after four races.

Rhodes protested against Purdie on the grounds of interference and it was upheld, possibly ending Purdie's bid for a second world title, two years after his first. Purdie subsequently lodged an appeal against the decision but no outcome has been reached.

The race was won by Australia's Andre Blasse.The day was not all bad for Purdie – he took out the fourth race in light winds ahead of Rhodes and three-time world champion Nick Craig, of Britain.

Rhodes has a smile on his face heading into today's rest day. He leads on 11 points, with Australia's Michael Williams his nearest rival on 18, followed by Kiwi Russell Page-Wood on 21 points.

Matt Steven is the third New Zealand sailor in the top-five standings, on 27 points, which places him as the leading junior.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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