29er World Championships in Medemblik - Day 1
by Diana Bogaards 25 Jul 2016 23:49 BST
25-28 July 2016
Dutchmen Lars Postma and Quinten Bramervaer win the opening day of the 29er Worlds 2016 in Medemblik, Netherlands. They are leading after three races on Monday July 25, on equal points with the 2015 Optimist World Champion Rok Verderber and his crew Klemen Semelbauer from Slovenia. The Australians Tom Crockett and Harry Morton are in third position, also on equal points with the numbers four and five.
The southwester breeze was a bit stronger in the morning, varying from 7,5 to 13,5 knots. The wind dropped a few knots in the second race, but picked up again in the afternoon. The 228 boats strong fleet completed, divided into six groups, three races on three courses.
'It was amazing, we got two first places", commented Postma, who recently won silver at the 29er Europeans in Norway. 'It was really our weather, so we enjoyed the racing and had great opportunities. We sailed fast and played the shifts and gusts well."
The Slovenian newcomers to the 29er class surprised by grabbing two victories on the IJsselmeer as well: 'We have sailed four regattas so far. We like the light weather, so we benefited from today's circumstances." Postma and Bramervaer won the third and final race of the day, in which Verderber and Semelbauer finished fourth, which lifted them to the leading spot.
Gwendal Nael and Lilian Mercier from France, winners of the third Europa Cup this season, showed their ambition of improving their eighth place at last year's Worlds. They are currently in fourth position, followed by the Germans Ingmar and Henrik Vieregge. Both teams are on equal points with the Aussies Crocket and Morton in third place.
Best all female team were Aleksandra Melzacka and Maja Micinska from Poland. They finished fourteenth overall with a score of 7-1-10.
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The weather forecast for tomorrow, Tuesday July 26, looks challenging with very light conditions. The best chances for racing will be in the morning with about 5 knots of breeze. There are four qualifying races scheduled.
Top five after three races:
1. NED - Lars Postma and Quinten Bramervaer, 6 points
2. SLO - Rok Verderber and Klemen Semelbauer, 6 points
3. AUS - Tom Crockett and Harry Morton, 9 points
4. FRA - Gwendal Nael and Lilian Mercier, 9 points
5. GER- Ingmar Vieregge and Henrik Vieregge, 9 points
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