Hansa World Championship at Medemblik, Holland - Day 1
by 2016 Hansa Worlds 5 Jun 2016 22:15 BST
3-9 June 2016
The first day of the 2016 Hansa Worlds couldn't have start any better. The weather is perfect for sailing; there is a nice wind and sun. The races went very well; sailors are really competitive which is being noticed in the jury room. "We have had seven protests today", says head of jury Lynne Beal.
The water is a bit bumpy and with 9 to 12 knots it's sometimes hard for some sailors. For many of them it's the first time they sail in the Netherlands, so they have to get used to the conditions in Medemblik.
Difficult water for Japanese Harada
The group of nine Hansa 2.3 sailors are outnumbered by Greek and Portuguese sailors, but there is also a very enthusiastic Japanese sailor: Koji Harada. "It didn't go very good for me this morning. The waves make it difficult on the water, maybe this will go better during the week." Harada can be recognized by his big smile, always waving to everyone who sails along. He isn't very positive about his results in Medemblik so far, although he finishes in fifth and fourth position. Everything is still possible for Harada.
Pedro Reis ends up in protest room
Pedro Reis, from Portugal, thought he had a good series today. "I didn't expect this, I finished first in both races! At the Europeans I finished sixth, so didn't have high expectations for these worlds."
Reis also competes in the 303 doubles with Ana Cunha. "The competition in the doubles is tougher, the Malaysians are very competitive and the Australian boat is very fast. There are about five to six really competitive boats in the doubles. I've trained a lot for this championship because I have to be on the water all day. Between the morning and afternoon race, I try to rest by slow sailing. I've also done a lot of fitness to get in good shape."
Sadly for Reis he ends the day in the protest room. In the single class he finds himself after protests on a second place and in the double class he gets disqualified after a protest from the France Gilles Guyon. "I don't agree and probably will re-open the protest", Reis says.
Dream start in Liberty
Gerard Beens has a dream start: "I've finished both races in first place. This is a perfect start." For Sarah Dunckley (NZL), the start isn't what she had hoped. "A second place and a fourth place isn't too bad. But now someone has protested against me, for something I didn't even do! A bit exciting since it's my first protest." Dunckley was accused of rounding the mark the wrong way, apparently she has been mistakien for someone else.
According to the jury it's a busy day with seven protests. "Events in this class are always busy for the jury, so it's not a big surprise there are so many protests", head of jury Lynne Beal explains.
Close competition in SKUD18
In the SKUD18 there is very close racing, as expected. The Dutch Rolf Schrama and Sandra Nap know the water in Medemblik very well. Today they finished in a first place and a third place. Their rivals from Poland, Monika Gibes and Piots Cichocki finish in a first and second place. Tomorrow morning they will have to compete in lighter wind conditions, so this might mix the results up.
About the 2016 Hansa Worlds
The Hansa Class World & International Championships 2016 take place in Medemblik - Netherlands from 3 - 9 June 2016. The event will include the following competitions: Hansa 2.3, Hansa 303 (single and two persons), Liberty and Skud 18. The 2016 Worlds will provide a full week of great sailing on a venue well known by sailors all over the world. In the organiser's vision, sailors will bring their family and friends to combine their passion of sailing with a visit to the cultural and recreational venues of the Netherlands, Amsterdam and the beautiful city of Medemblik.
More information at 2016hansaworlds.com