| MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA-(9-1-2003) Released from hospital late last evening, it transpires that Italian, Gianfranco Sibello, has in fact sustained a slight fracture to his arm after falling from his 49er yesterday, at the Sail Melbourne Australian 49er championship at Royal Geelong Yacht Cub. Fortunate not to break his arm, Sibello has, however, been advised by doctors that he would be unable to race for a few days. Although disappointed, the World Ranked No. 6 Sibello's (his brother Pietro skippers the boat), were philosophical about their demise from the series they were leading. They are grateful that Gianfranco will be able to compete at the Sail Melbourne Olympic & Invited Classes Regatta starting January 11 at Sandringham Yacht Club. Four races were sailed today to complete the Australian Championship in south-westerly breezes in the 7-9 knot range that built throughout the afternoon to around 17 knots from the south-south-east. In good form, former three-time World 49er champion, Chris Nicholson, with crew, Gary Boyd (NSW), won the championship convincingly with 28 points, from Mark Turnbull/Nick Partridge (Vic),With 46 points and Ben and Marcus Tardrew, who sailed exceptionally well to finish 3rd with 57 points. A multi-talented sailor, Nicholson also recently won the 505 World Championship with brother, Darren, and recently finished 2nd on line aboard Grundig in the Rolex Sydney-Hobart race. He also competed in the recent Volvo Round the World Yacht Race, so has been off the 49er track for a while. In Heat 10, 1st place went to John Harris/Euan McNicol (AUS), 2nd to Mark Kennedy/Chris Burgess (NZL), and 3rd Chris Nicholson/John Boyd. Heat 11 was won by Denis Jones/Simon Sutherland (WA), 2nd was Luca and Manuel Modena (ITA), and 3rd Nicholson/Boyd. Heat 12 winners were Kenji Nakamura/Masato Takaki (JPN), 2nd Nicholson/Boyd, 3rd Jones/Sutherland. Finally, Heat 13, 1st Nicholson/Boyd, 2nd Ben and Marcus Tardrew (Vic), 3rd Turnbull/Partridge. All competitors will leave Geelong tonight to head to Sandringham for the Sail Melbourne Olympic & Invited Classes Regatta. Full results go to the official website: www.sailmelbourne.com.au/results
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