Challenging Conditions as 29er Worlds Gets Underway

Published on August 9th, 2015

Pwllheli, Wales (August 9, 2015) – After a rainy night, conditions steadily improved for the opening day of the Zhik 29er World Championship. As the drizzle faded, the wind increased and provided stellar conditions on both courses for the 193 entrants.

The sailors are split for qualifying into four fleets and raced on two courses off Pwllheli. For some the conditions were a challenge but for others it was what they have prepared for. Race officer David Campbell-James reported on the day, “We had 3 races today on both courses with 12-18 knots and relatively great sea state for the southerly breeze. The weather is to be much the same for tomorrow but with 4 races scheduled.”

After three races, leaders James Wilson/Oscar Gunn (NZL) and Juho Kotiranta/Akseli Keskinen (FIN) both have 4 points with each having two wins and a second. A three-way tie for second stands with Tam Lindsay/William McKenzie (NZL), Christopher Williford/Wade Waddell (USA) and John Cooley/Simon Hoffman (AUS) all with 5 points total. Tomorrow’s four races will offer more challenges as the fleets will be reshuffled.

Racing for qualifying continues on Monday, August 10 with the finals to start August 12 and the prizegiving on August 14.