WORLD CUP: North America skunked in season finale

Hyères, France (April 27, 2013) – The medals were decided across the ten Olympic events as ISAF Sailing World Cup Hyères brought the 2012-13 World Cup series to a close. An up and down breeze that never truly filled in at any point ensured for some stressful races as each event held either two or tree non-discardable, double-point medal races.

Marit Bouwmeester (NED) christened her return back in the Laser Radial after London 2012 with a well-deserved gold medal. Leading the first Medal Race from start to finish Bouwmeester established a seven point advantage over Tuula Tenkanen (FIN) and Alison Young (GBR) who were tied for silver.

“I just had to focus on myself and sail a good race,” said the Dutch sailor. “When it is light and tricky it’s a bit easier because you can only focus on yourself and I won the first race and made it a bit easy. The other two girls started racing each other in the second race so it was easy for me,” she said with a smile.

Isabella Bertold (CAN) posted a 10-5 to finish sixth overall. “Not a good day… false started in the first race and had to re-start which put me well behind the fleet,” explained Bertold.” The second race was better, but made some mistakes on the downwind. Time for a couple days off and then it’s back to more training in Lake Garda.”

After posting a OCS-12 on Friday, Americans Annie Haeger and Briana Provancha went into the medal race in 7th overall. Their Medal Stage performance of 6-1 was the second best of the day, but left them in fourth overall, three points shy of the bronze. “We are excited about the win,” said Haeger. “It was a good way to end the regatta.”

This was the completion of the 2012-13 ISAF Sailing World Cup circuit, which now steps aside for a busy summer of World Championships for the ten Olympic events. The 2013-14 ISAF Sailing World Cup circuit will begin at Qingdao, China in October 2013.

Photo gallery – Event report – USA report

Background: The ISAF Sailing World Cup Hyeres (Apr 22-27) was 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