Medemblik Regatta 2018 in the Netherlands - Day 4
by Medemblik Regatta 26 May 2018 03:16 BST
22-26 May 2018
2018 Medemblik Regatta - Day 4 © Sander van der Borch
The fourth day of racing is all about getting qualified for the medal races. Some sailors still had to work hard to get that spot in the top 10. For the Laser, Nacra 17 and 49er sailors there were some interesting battles.
"Tricky conditions on the water again today", says Remco de Goederen, Principal Race Officer. "The easterly wind that we've been having all week makes it really difficult. The breeze comes from land, creating some unpredictable conditions."
More wind is predicted for the Medal Races. The races will be sailed in physical boundaries, making it easier and more exciting to follow the races!
Full on match racing in Nacra 17
The Nacra 17 Finnish sailors Sinem Kurtbay and Janne Jarvinen started the day on a shared 10th place with the Russians Dzhienbaev and Ivanova. Eager to get that spot in the medal race, they went onto the water before the racing. Janne Jarvinen: "It's going to be full on match racing with the Russians!" With a 7th, 3th and 6th place they moved up the result list to a 6th place overall. The Russian duo didn't have their best day ending up in a 14th place overall.
Going into the medal race in first place are Fernando Echavari Erasun and Tara Pacheco van Rijnsoever (ESP). Echavari Erasun: "It's always good to be in the medal race. It's going to be really tricky, we have three boats fighting for the podium. The format is going to be interesting as well. We've never raced in boundaries with this foiling class before!"
Jason Saunders and Gemma Wilson (NZL) are in second place, but not very satisfied with their day: "Our worst day of the regatta", reacts Saunders. We had a good speed and some good moments, but we couldn't put it all together today and lost some points from the leaders."
British John Gimson and Anna Burnet go into the medal race in third place.
A 22 point lead for Laser sailor Hanson
In the Laser the overall list is shaked up as well, but continuously in the lead is British Elliot Hanson. "I'm still a bit rusty since it's the first event I'm back in the boat again. But the Medemblik Regatta is getting me into the race rhythm again." Hanson just stepped back into the boat after an ankle surgery, but is really enjoying the sailing again. "And the venue has been great, it's always a great place to race."
On second place is Dutch Yuri Hummel: "I didn't have a good day yesterday, but today was ok. Happy with it. Don't think I'll be able to climb further, Hanson is racing really well this event." Belgium William Smet agrees with the Dutch sailor about today. "My day yesterday wasn't very good, two 17th places! I wasn't in top 10 this morning, so happy to race the medal race tomorrow."
Dutch Laser Radial sailor Daphne van der Vaart is maintaining her lead: "The wind was unpredictable today, making it pretty challenging." Croatian Elena Vorobeva goes into the medal race in second place, Dutch Maxime Jonker in third place.
All Dutch teams in 49erFX medal races
In the 49erFX Dutch Annemiek Bekkering and Annette Duetz are still leading the fleet. "Today was an interesting day. We've sailed good races, but you don't see this in the results. Very cool all Dutch girls in the 49erFX made it to the medal race." Charlotte Dobson and Saskia Tidey (GBR) also didn't race their best results this event, but they are still in second place. Another Dutch team is going into the medal races in third place: Odille van Aanholt and Marieke Jongens.
Battle is on in 49er
Lucas Rual and Emile Amoros (FRA) have been in a tremendous form all week, having built a twelve point gap to Aussies David Gilmour and Joel Turner in second place. The last qualifying day was a difficult but good one for the French team. The duo from French had an UFD in race 11 but they still had their discard so it didn't make that much of an impact. Now, the focus is set for tomorrow: "Of course we are trying to win the Regatta. That would be really, really nice. But we are also here to improve our technique and speed."
Gilmour and Turner had a really strong day with two first and a third place finish. They are definitely going to give their best tomorrow to get that golden medal. Completing the podium for now is Argentina duo Lange and Lange. "Luckily we still had our discard because we needed it today." They are looking forward to the Medal Races: "Now we want to finish at least third".
Switching lead in RS:X Women
The Polish Zofia Noceti Klepacka started the day in second place, but after a strong day she took over the lead. She's going into the medal race with 47 points, in second place is Russian Stefania Elfutina with 64 points. Dutch Lilian de Geus had a difficult day on the water, maybe the most difficult day of the week. But she kept her third place and goes into medal race with 71 points.
Silver and gold ensured for France RS:X U19
In the RS:X U19 the battle for gold during the medal race will be between two French guys. Fabien Pianazza and Tom Garandeau, they have been in the lead all week and are ensured of a silver and gold medal. It's just not decided who is getting which color. Dutch Jim van Someren is going into the medal race in third place.
Badloe going to fight for podium
For the RS:X men another light wind day. The Polish Maciej Kluszczynski is still in the lead with 23 points. Second place is Yoav Cohen (ISR) with 30 points, behind him is British Kieran Holmes-Martin. Dutch Kiran Badloe is in fourth place, he has a small chance to win a medal. "I'm going to do everything about it to be on the podium tomorrow!"
Check all medal race competitors here.