The fourth day of racing was about qualifying for the Medal Races, with some having to work hard to get a spot in the top 10, including in the Laser, Nacra 17 and 49er classes where 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.”
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.
“It’s going to be full on match racing with the Russians.” With a 7th, 3th and 6th place they moved up to 6th place overall. The Russian duo didn’t have their best day ending up in 14th place overall,” Jarvinen said.
Going into the Medal Race in first place are Fernando Echavari Erasun and Tara Pacheco van Rijnsoever (ESP).
“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,” Erasun said.
Jason Saunders and Gemma Wilson (NZL) are in second place, but not very satisfied with their day: “Our worst day of the regatta”, Saunders said. “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.”
Brits John Gimson and Anna Burnet go into the Medal Race in third place.
Elliot Hanson has handsome Laser lead
The overall standings have been shaken up as well, but continuously in the lead is Britain’s 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,” he said.
Hanson just stepped back into the boat after an ankle surgery and is really enjoying the sailing again.
In second place is Dutchman Yuri Hummel, who said: “I didn’t have a good day yesterday, but today was OK, I’m happy with it. Hanson is racing really well this event.”
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 make 49erFX Medal Races
In the 49erFX Dutch Annemiek Bekkering/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 the Dutch crews made it to the Medal Race,” Bekkering said.
Charlotte Dobson/Saskia Tidey (GBR) also haven’t done their best at this event, but they are still in second place. Another Dutch team is going into the Medal Race in third place; Odille van Aanholt/Marieke Jongens.
Battle on in the 49er
Lucas Rual/Emile Amoros (FRA) have been in a tremendous form all week, having built a 12-point gap to Aussies David Gilmour/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 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, 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. 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.”
Lead changes in RS:X Women
Polish sailor Zofia Noceti Klepacka started the day in second place, but after a strong day she took over the lead and goes into the Medal Race with 47 points, from Russian Stefania Elfutina with 64 points. Dutchwoman Lilian de Geus had a difficult day , but 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 will be between two Frenchmen, Fabien Pianazza and Tom Garandeau. They have been in the lead all week and are ensured of Gold and Silver respectively – it’s just not decided who is getting which colour. Dutchman Jim van Someren is going into the Medal Race in third place.
Two battle for gold in RS:X Men’s
For the RS:X Men’s, it was another light wind day. Polish sailor Maciej Kluszczynski is still in the lead with 23 points. Second place is Yoav Cohen (ISR) with 30 points, behind him is Brit Kieran Holmes-Martin. Dutchman Kiran Badloe is in fourth place, but he has a small chance to win a medal. “I’m going to do everything to be on the podium tomorrow,” he said.
Medal Races competitors: http://medemblikregatta.org/competitors-in-the-medal-races/
