Strong start for Dutch at Allianz Regatta

Almere, Netherlands (May 31, 2023) – The third stage of the Sailing World Cup 2023 got underway today for 190 entrants at the Allianz Regatta. With six of the 10 Olympic events competing, the early races were dominated by the Dutch on home waters as they led the way in four classes.

In fact it was only in the two Formula Kite classes that the home competitors were denied, with a strong French showing.

Perhaps the standout performance for Dutch fans came in the iQFOiL Men, where Luuc van Opzeeland led a Dutch 1-2-3 through four heats.

The 2022 world silver medalist won three of the four heats, coming second in the other, to lead compatriot Huig-Jan Tak by six points.

The Olympic champion, Kiran Badloe, is a point further back, finishing the day with a win and a second place after a slow start in the opening two heats.

Similarly impressive in the 49er class were reigning world champions Bart Lambriex and Floris van der Werken, who won all three heats on day one. That was enough to open up a three-point lead on Austrians Benjamin Bildstein and David Hussl.

Marit Bouwmeester is level with teammate Maxime Jonker in the ILCA 6 after two heats, both scoring a first and second to stand five points clear of Australia’s Sylvie Stannage.

And rounding off the Dutch success in the ILCA 7 was Duko Bos, who won the opening heat and followed that up with a second-place finish to sit two points clear of Valtteri Uusitalo (FIN), with Alessio Spadoni (ITA) a point further back.

The only exception to the strong home showing came in the Formula Kite, where French athletes dominated, as they did in Palma.

Axel Mazella won all four of his heats in the blue fleet in the Formula Kite Men, a feat that was almost matched by China’s Qibin Huang in the yellow fleet, as he took three wins and a second.

In the Formula Kite Women, Poema Newland (FRA) did not start the opening heat before responding with three wins in a row to lead by four points from Spain’s Gisela Borrell.

Annelous Lammerts (NED) was the only other person to win a heat, taking the opener, but sits fourth on 11 points, with Gal Zukerman (ISR) in third on nine.

Event Website – Results – Facebook

Sailing World Cup 2023:
April 1-8 – Trofeo Princesa Sofia – Mallorca, Spain
April 22-29 – Semaine Olympique Française – Hyères, France
May 31-June 4 – Allianz Regatta – Almere, Netherlands
June 17-25 – Kieler Woche – Kiel, Germany

Paris 2024 Olympic Sailing Program:
Men’s One Person Dinghy – ILCA 7
Women’s One Person Dinghy – ILCA 6
Mixed Two Person Dinghy – 470
Men’s Skiff – 49er
Women’s Skiff – 49erFx
Men’s Kiteboard – Formula Kite Class
Women’s Kiteboard – Formula Kite Class
Men’s Windsurfing – iQFoil
Women’s Windsurfing – iQFoil
Mixed Multihull – Nacra 17

Venue: Marseille, France
Dates: July 26-August 11

Details: https://www.paris2024.org/en/the-olympic-games-paris-2024/

Source: World Sailing