Skunked at 49er and 49erFX Worlds

Matosinhos, Portugal (August 28, 2017) – Light winds prevented the start today of the 49er and 49erFX World Championships, which is planned for August 28 to September 2.

The men’s fleet has 80 teams, and as an initial form guide the favorites are Dylan Fletcher and Stuart Bithell (GBR) who narrowly won the 2017 European Championship just 4 weeks ago, in their first major championship win. They are a new team together, but both were near the top of the 49er Class through to the Rio Olympics with other team mates. They have combined well and have trained hard all winter long to move into the favorites slot.

Dylan has been campaigning for many years, first with long time crew, Alain Sign. Initially the duo sailed 29ers before a decade together in the 49er Class. Stu, a 470 Silver medalist from the London Olympics, made the transition to the 49er in 2013. He began crewing for Nic Asher, then with John Pink, and now with Dylan. He brings a fantastic sailing mind and balanced approach to racing, and so far this new partnership has been at the front of the fleet.

Returning to action, after a well-deserved rest, are 2016 Olympic Bronze medalists, Erik Heil and Thomas Ploessel (GER). Erik has been doing some pro sailing this winter while Thomas finished his undergrad degree. They have done little in the 49er this year, they may not yet be at their best and they represent a bit of an unknown as they did not attend the Europeans. Nevertheless, this team represents a real challenge based on their years of prior experience.

Among the 57 teams competing for the women’s title, it will be a flashback to the Rio Olympic Games when four teams were tied going into the last race. While Martine Grael and Kahena Kunze (BRA) took the gold, the same four teams will face off for the first time since Rio Games this week.

Seeking to dethrone the Brazilians will be Tamara Echegoyen and Berta Betanzos (ESP), 4th in Rio and the 2016 49erFX World Champion, Rio Bronze medalist Jena Hansen and Katja Salskov-Iversen (DEN), and silver medalists Alex Maloney and Molly Meech (NZL).

However, crashing this foursome is the recently crowned 2017 49erFX European Champions, Tina Lutz and Susan Beuke (GER), or their teammates and winners of the Sailing World Cup in Hyeres, Vicky Jurczok and Anika Llorenz (GER) are sure to be in the mix. The new combo and Sailing World Cup Final winners Charlotte Dobson and Saskia Tidey (GBR) could suit the usual big breeze and big seas conditions in Porto.

The Dutch always have a strong squad, as do the Swedes, but potentially the most dangerous of all are three time 49erFX European Champions Ida Nielsen and Marie Olsen of Denmark, who were surely the best team not to make the Rio Olympics, and will not want to repeat that fate for Tokyo.

Event details: http://49er.org/event/2017-world-championship/

Source: Class Assn