Qualifiers Begin at 29er Worlds

Medemblik, Netherlands (July 25, 2016) – Dutchmen Lars Postma and Quinten Bramervaer win the opening day of the 29er Worlds 2016, leading after three races but on equal points with the 2015 Optimist World Champion Rok Verderber and his crew Klemen Semelbauer from Slovenia. The Australians Tom Crockett and Harry Morton are in third position, also on equal points with fourth and fifth position.

The southwester breeze was a bit stronger in the morning, varying from 7,5 to 13,5 knots. The wind dropped a few knots in the second race, but picked up again in the afternoon. The 228 boats were divided into six groups, completing three races on three courses.

“It was amazing, we got two first places,” commented Postma, who recently won silver at the 29er Europeans in Norway. “It was really our weather, so we enjoyed the racing and had great opportunities. We sailed fast and played the shifts and gusts well.”

The Slovenian newcomers to the 29er class surprised by grabbing two victories on the IJsselmeer as well: “We have sailed four regattas so far. We like the light weather, so we benefited from today’s circumstances.” Postma and Bramervaer won the third and final race of the day, in which Verderber and Semelbauer finished fourth, which lifted them to the leading spot.

Gwendal Nael and Lilian Mercier from France, winners of the third Europa Cup this season, showed their ambition of improving their eighth place at last year’s Worlds. They are currently in fourth position, followed by the Germans Ingmar and Henrik Vieregge. Both teams are on equal points with the Aussies Crocket and Morton in third place.

Best all female team were Aleksandra Melzacka and Maja Micinska from Poland. They finished fourteenth overall with a score of 7-1-10.

The weather forecast for tomorrow looks challenging with very light conditions. The best chances for racing will be in the morning with about 5 knots of breeze. There are four qualifying races scheduled.

Racing is scheduled for July 25-30.

Day One Results (Top 5 of 228; 3 races)
1.NED – Lars Postma and Quinten Bramervaer, 6 points
2.SLO – Rok Verderber and Klemen Semelbauer, 6 points
3.AUS – Tom Crockett and Harry Morton, 9 points
4.FRA – Gwendal Nael and Lilian Mercier, 9 points
5.GER- Ingmar Vieregge and Henrik Vieregge, 9 points

Event information – Scoreboard – Entry list – Facebook

Source: Diana Bogaards, 29er Worlds