Start of 2008 Volvo ISAF Youth Worlds

from Jodie Bakewell-White

Racing started on 12th July in Aarhus, Denmark at the 2008 Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championships where New Zealand is represented by a ten member sailing team. The Kiwis made a solid start with four out of seven placed in the top five after day one.

After starting in sunshine at midday, rain clouds and squalls came through and delivered gusty winds reaching 30 knots as the afternoon progressed. All seven classes sailed two races each to kick off this annual regatta which showcases the best youth talent from around the globe and runs over seven days.

The best placed of the NZL Yachting Trust Youth Team after day one of the regatta is Laser sailor Sam Meech lying third overall. Meech, from the Tauranga Yacht & Powerboat Club was 3rd in both races sailed on day one in Aarhus giving him a score total of six points. Cypriot, Pavlos Kontides has the lead in the Lasers with a win and a 2nd, while local Danish sailor Thorbjorn Schierup lies in second place.

In the Boy’s 29er fleet silver medallist in 2007 Paul Snow-Hansen helmed the boat to a 6th in race one and 3rd in race two on day one in 2008. He and crew Ben Goodwin are in 4th place overall in the 25 boat fleet, while Australian sailors Byron White and Rhys Mara have the lead in the double-handed class.

In the Girl’s 29er fleet Alexandra Maloney and Bianca Barbarich-Bacher are also lying 4th overall after last night’s two races. They were 3rd in race one and 9th in race two. Frances Peters and Claire Lasko of Great Britain are leading at this early stage.

Cushla Hume-Merry of Wellington holds 5th place in the Laser Radial class but is on equal points with the Singaporean sailor lying 4th. Hume-Merry was 6th and 3rd in the two races sailed overnight in the 40 strong Laser Radial fleet. Canada’s Isabella Bertold has the top spot with Australian, Gabrielle King who narrowly beat Hume-Merry for the 2008 Laser Radial Youth Worlds title earlier this year, lying 2nd.

In the multihull division, Kiwis Francisco Lardies and David Hazard are lying 6th while Jazmine Lynch, representing New Zealand in the Girls RS:X windsurfing, is in 9th place. Over in the Boy’s RS:X, Josh Nixon recorded two DNCs on day one.

Racing continues today in Denmark with the forecast predicting that the wind won’t be as strong as on day one, although showers will persist. The regatta concludes on Friday 18th July.

2008 Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championships
New Zealand’s Results after day one

Sam Meech (Laser) – 3rd (3, 3)
Cushla Hume-Merry (Laser Radial) – 5th (6, 3)
Paul Snow-Hansen & Ben Goodwin (Boys 29er) – 4th (6, 3)
Alexandra Maloney & Bianca Barbarich-Bacher (Girls 29er) – 4th (3, 9)
Francisco Lardies & David Hazard (Multihull) – 6th (4, 8)
Josh Nixon (Boys RS:X) – 25th (DNC, DNC)
Jazmine Lynch (Girls RS:X) – 9th (10, 8)

2008 ISAF Youth Worlds