Delta Lloyd Regatta at Medemblik, Holland - Day 2
by 2013 Delta Lloyd Regatta 22 May 2013 20:35 BST
21-25 May 2013
The second day of racing in the Delta Lloyd Regatta tested sailor's fitness and the equipment. Wind averaging 25 knots and picking at 30, throughout the day made for physical racing.
Only the Nacra and the 49er FX were cancelled. The Finn and Laser radial were the first to hit the water in the morning, followed by the RS:X men and women. The remaining fleets were kept to shore waiting for the wind to decrease.
Hyères Sailing World Cup winner, Andrew Mills (GBR) has taken the lead from Greg Douglas (CAN) in the Finn class after three races sailed this morning. Mills is discarding a disqualification at the start of race two to count only top five places. The day's races win went to Miami SWC winner Caleb Paine (USA) and PJ Postma (NED) who place second and third overall.
The Laser Radial completed two races on the three scheduled. Alison Young (GBR) keeps the lead with a bullet in the first race. While the second race was taken by Annalise Murphy (IRL) who is renowned to show her best in the heavy winds. The Irish places second overall in front of Marit Bouwmeester (NED) consistent with two second places.
Hei Man Hayley Victoria Chan (HKG) enjoyed the waves and planning conditions to still the lead from Moana Delle in the RS:X with top three placings. However with a victory and two second places, Hélène Noesmoen (FRA) scored the best results on the water and climbs to sixth overall.
Dorian van Rijsselberge (NED) conserves top position in the RS:X men but Przemyslaw Miarczynski (POL), winner of the SWC in Hyères is closing the gap with two first places and a second. 2012 World Champion Julien Bontemps (FRA) wins the third race to remain in third overall.
The race committees had a very long day on the water. After the completion of racing in the Finn, Radial and RS:X, the remaining classes were kept ashore waiting for the wind to calm down. At 5PM the warning signal was finally given for the 470 and Lasers and racing cancelled for the 49ers, 2.4 and Sonar.
Soon after 7pm, the 470 and Lasers came back to shore after two races in 20 knots.
Olympic Champions Joe Aleh and Polly Powrie (NZL) continued on their impressive performance to add another two victories to their score to comfort their lead over the 470 fleets.
Croatians are taking the lead in two classes.
In the Men, Sime Fantela and Igor Marenic (CRO) won the first race and placed second in the last to take a narrow lead over the Australians Matt Belcher and Will Ryan.
The Lasers were last to reach the shore, the windy races were dominated by the Australians and New-Zealanders, however consistent results from Croatian Tonci Stipanovic (3-4) place him in the lead after five races.
Today saw the end of the qualification stages for the Laser, Radial and RS:X. They will be split in Gold and Silver for the next two days with the top 25 in each class qualifying for the Gold fleet.
How to follow the Delta Lloyd Regatta
Tracking available daily for all boats on the event website.