KEY POINTS:
The weather gods have snuffed out Kiwi sailor Michael Bullot's hopes of a medal finish at the Laser World Championships in Terrigal on Australia's Central Coast.
Bullot finished fifth after strong winds forced the cancellation of yesterday's final day of racing, meaning the placings stood after six days of sailing.
With winds gusting up to around 25-33 knots and seas rising up to 3.5 metres there was no chance of any sailing getting under way yesterday.
While it was Bullot's best ever finish at a World Championship event - his previous best being a 19th placing in Korea in 2006 - he would have been disappointed not to have had the opportunity to push for a medal.
After sailing consistently well throughout the regatta, Bullot was in striking distance of a podium finish heading into the final day.
Australia's Tom Slingsby retained his world title after coming under a great deal of pressure from Julio Alsogaray, of Argentina. Slingsby trailed the Argentine by seven points heading in to the penultimate day but the local favourite snatched back the lead with two wins and set up a potentially thrilling showdown on the final day. But the wind did not play ball and the points stood, with Slingsby finishing two clear of Argentine Julio Alsogaray on 27. Spain's Javier Hernandez finished in bronze medal position on 39 points.
New Zealand's David Weaver also had a strong regatta, finishing ninth place to ensure two Kiwis finished inside the top 10.
But it was disappointment for New Zealand's leading hope Andrew Murdoch who finished in 13th place after a mixed regatta. Murdoch has already been confirmed as New Zealand's representative in the Laser class for this year's Olympics.
But with Murdoch finishing behind his two Kiwi rivals one wonders if Yachting New Zealand had been too hasty in making their Olympic nominations.
In fairness to Murdoch, who won silver in the 2007 World Champs in Portugal, his training over the past few months has been targeted towards the light air conditions expected in Qingdao for the Olympic regatta in August. With blustery, shifty winds throughout the week, the conditions were hardly ideal for him.
FINAL PLACINGS
1st Tom Slingsby AUS, 27 points
2nd Juilo Alsogaray ARG, 29
3rd Javier Hernandez ESP, 39
4th Vasilij Zbogar SLO, 47
5th Michael Bullot NZL, 51
6th Alexander Schlonski GER, 64
7th Paul Goodison GBR, 72
8th Nick Thompson GBR, 76
9th David Weaver NZL, 79
10th Brad Funk USA, 79
Also
13th Andrew Murdoch NZL, 84
