WORLD CUP: Light winds, long day

Hyères, France (April 22, 2013) – The opening day of racing at ISAF Sailing World Cup Hyères got underway early in the afternoon, following a morning delay due to light winds, providing tricky conditions across the six race courses for the 800 sailors competing.

Old and new faces were in attendance, with particular note to Robert Scheidt (BRA). The three-time Star World Champion, who medaled in the keelboat event at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, has returned to the Laser now the Star has been removed from the Olympics.

Scheidt’s roots in the class run deep, winning the Laser World title eight-times while medaling at the 1996, 200, and 2004 Olympics. Now at 40 years, Scheidt is still answering the bell, finishing the day tied for second overall. “It was a very tough day because the breeze was very flukey and we had big wind shifts all day,” exclaimed Scheidt. “I got a six, one and ten so I’m happy with my day because it’s the first big regatta back in the Laser. It wasn’t a great day, but not a bad one either so I’m pretty happy with that.”

The highlight for the North American contingent was the performance in the 30-boat Women’s 470 fleet, with Anne Haeger and Briana Provancha rolling a 3-5-3 to sit in third. “The breeze was shifting all over the place which made the race committee have to work even harder to get those races off,” said Provancha. “We are making serious progress with our speed, especially in the light air and chop. This is the start of a long regatta, with similar conditions forecasted for Tuesday.”

Winds are expected to increase by mid-week, with the final medal race on April 27. The regatta format provides two day qualification with five races and the “carry forward” qualification score cannot be discarded. A first place win counts for zero points and there will be two double-point, non-discardable medal races at the end of the regatta. — Full report

Background: The ISAF Sailing World Cup Hyeres (Apr 22-27) is the fourth and final event of the 2012-13 ISAF Sailing World Cup season. The season began in Melbourne, Australia (Dec 2-8) and was in Miami (Jan 28-Feb 2), and then Palma, Spain (Apr 1-6). The ISAF Sailing World Cup is open to the sailing classes (equipment) chosen for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Sailing Competitions. – http://www.sailing.org/worldcup/home.php