29er Worlds to Begin on Monday

Medemblik, Netherlands (July 22, 2016) – An impressive fleet of 231 boats is shaping up for the 29er Worlds 2016, with eight teams of last year’s top 25 to be present and recognized by their sail number, that represents their finish position at the 2015 Worlds in Wales. The record number of entries for the competition on July 25 to 30 is a mix of interesting sailors.

“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.

About the International 29er Class Association
The 29er is an open class for both age and gender, yet has a separate men’s and women’s fleet at the World Sailing Youth Worlds.The 29er is raced around the world in 53 countries and has produced many World and Olympic champions in other classes including the 49erFX for women and the 49er.

SAP Sailing Analytics
The organization will make use of SAP Sailing Analytics software. It gathers big data by using GPS-sensors onboard of the boats and wind speed meters on the water. That allows the opportunity to show real-time what is happening on the race course. The SAP System utilizes Internet of Things (IoT) with sensors that register the coordinates and the boat speeds.

In addition, the system collects data about wind directions and speeds on the different laps of the course. The data gives coaches and sailors valuable information for after the finish and the debriefing. Meanwhile it offers the public a proper online look at what is happening on the water.

Event info – Entry list – Facebook

Source: Diana Bogaards, 29er Worlds