Colourful fleet shaping up for 29er Worlds in Medemblik

29er Europeans 2015 in Medemblik © 29er Class

The colourful fleet of 231 boats is shaping up for the 29er Worlds 2016 in Medemblik, Netherlands. Eight teams of last year's top 25 will be present, to be recognized by their sail number, that represents their finish position at the 2015 Worlds in Wales. The record number of entries this year is a mix of interesting sailors. Racing starts on Sunday July 24 with two scheduled practice races, followed by the opening ceremony at 18 hours.

'I feel really privileged to have the 29er Worlds 2016 here in Medemblik", says Joan Mollerus (USA), President of the International 29er Class Association. 'It is a beautiful venue with good wind conditions. The organization is fantastic and has thought of absolutely everything. I think this is going to be an amazing event."

'The record number of pre-entries is exciting for the class. It shows that skiff sailing is on the rise. Thanks to the strength of all national associations to bring girls into the 29er, we also see a record number of all girls teams entering the 2016 Worlds, which is great."

The fleet includes 64 all female and 182 youth teams. The youngest competitor is Katerina Zivna (CZE) at the age of 11, and the oldest is 36-year old Alejandro Baudoino from Argentina. He and his crew Martin Cubria (24) are the oldest team, whereas Hong Kong delegates the two youngest sets: Taylor Patrick Young (12) with Dylan Lok Kei Richards (13), and Malo Kennish (12) with Anatole Martin (13).

Two top ten teams from the 2015 Worlds are lining up in Medemblik. Gwendal Nael from France finished 8th in Wales and will try to improve that result with his new crew Lilian Mercier. So far, they won the Europa Cup 3 in 2016. The numbers 9 of last year's Worlds, Yann Thierry d'Argenlieu and Nathan Bradley from Hong Kong, are also there.

Champions, medalists and family affairs

Other names of interest are the fresh European Champions Pieter van Leijen and Daniel Bramervaer from the Netherlands, the 2014 silver medalists at the ISAF Youth Worlds in 29er, Quinn Wilson and Riley Gibbs from the United States, and the 2010 World Champion in the Optimist, Noppakao Poonpat from Thailand. Charlie Ekberg (26) has been a Swedish 49er sailor for several years and now he is back in the 29er, crewing for 17-year old Adrian Salamon. Ekberg brings into play his rich experience to help the next generation.

Talking about 'next generation', Marcus Piron Kirketerp (DEN) found the best inspiration at home, as his brother Martin Kirketerp Ibsen won Olympic gold in the 49er at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. The New Zealand sisters Greta and Kate Stewart also know what it takes to perform at the top, with their father working with America's Cup team Oracle (based in Bermuda).

About the 2016 29er Worlds

The 29er Worlds 2016 are organized by the Royal Yacht Club Hollandia in conjunction with the International 29er Class Association and the 9er Events Foundation. The 29er Worlds in this Olympic year will see a record number of participants since the first edition in 2000.

Registration and measurement will take place between July 22-24, followed by the opening ceremony on July 24. The first 3 out of 10 scheduled qualifying races will be sailed on Monday July 25. The final series of 10 scheduled races commences on Thursday July 28 and the new champions will be crowned on Saturday July 30.

www.29erworlds.org