Souter (AUS) leads Echegoyen (ESP) in the women's match racing. Image copyright Sander van der Borch.
by Corinne McKenzie
Wind and sunshine provided for great racing during the 3rd day in the Delta Lloyd Regatta, 5th event in the ISAF Sailing World Cup. The North Westerly breeze reaching 20 knots, allowed all the classes to sail according to schedule.
Women's Match racing
The Women's Match racing started at 9.30 AM. At the end of the day 13 flights have been completed, with five for the repechage. The teams of Tamara Echegoyen (ESP) and Nicky Souter (AUS) won four races out of five and will join the Gold fleet on Saturday.
Ekaterina Skudina (RUS) has started her Match racing campaign last year in Medemblik during the Delta Lloyd regatta. 'We have come a long way;" declares Skudina. 'I can't believe we have started one year ago. We got our boats in February and trained with one of the top Russian Match-Racer. This made us progressed." Improving steadily at each regatta, Skudina and her team claimed the European Championship early May after a close final with Lucy McGregor. Skudina has qualified for the Gold round robin with 100% victories.
49er
Four races sailed back to back in the 49ers, racing in Gold fleet, changed the leadership. 2009 European Champions, Pietro and Gianfranco Sibello (ITA) take the lead for the first time in the regatta on equal points with early leaders Nico Delle Karth and Nikolau Resch (AUT).
'We are sailing well again", explains Pietro Sibello 'This year we have started every regatta with a disqualification at the start. Yesterday we were good enough to stay calm, concentrate on the shifts and stay close to the other boats. This series of OCS' has made us doubt, and take unnecessary risks." The 49ers are racing in Medemblik on two different racing areas. While it does make it difficult for the coaches to follow racing, most sailors appreciate it. 'Today we raced four races back to back.", continues Pietro Sibello. 'We can do it because we have two racing areas. We don't need to wait on shore while the other group races and we can also compete with the same weather condition, which is fairer. I like to sail in Medemblik, it is the best regatta of the circuit for the 49ers, there are lots of boats, a great organisation and no wait!"
Laser Radial
The top four keep their place in the Laser Radial. Marit Bouwmeester (NED) claimed a fourth victory with top five scores today. Other races are claimed by defending champion and Hyčres' winner Tatiana Drozdovskaya (BLR) and Evi van Acker (BEL).
The third race saw a close battle in the front between the Dutch and the Belgium.
'I made a stupid mistake on the beat, I tried to cover Evi I went right but it didn't work out, Evi sailed away", explains Bouwmeester.
Laser
It was a hard day in the Laser class with most favourites scoring high points in at least a race. Tom Slingsby enjoyed the windy conditions to take the lead from Matias del Solar (CHI) who suffered in the breeze. 2009 Sailing World Cup winner, Nick Thompson (GBR) climbs to second overall with Julio Alsogaray (ARG) in third.
Finn
It was great fun on the water for the Finn sailors who finally experienced some of the best conditions since the start of the year. World number 1, Ivan Kljakovic Gaspic (CRO) conserves the lead in the Finn on equal point with early leader, Rafa Trujillo from Spain.
2.4mR
It is close racing in the 2.4 mR with the top four boats within six points. Thierry Schmitter (NED) has kept top place since day 1. Damien Seguin (FRA) won the last race, is in second overall at only two points from first. Helena Lucas and Megan Pascoe are third and fourth.
'It was very close racing with Thierry and Megan" explains Damien Seguin. 'It is good to have closed the gap with Thierry. Tomorrow will be a big fight with three races. The racing here is very challenging and it promises to be an interesting World here next July!"
Gold medallist Paul Tingley (CAN) is enjoying racing in the Delta Lloyd regatta 'I like the short and steep waves. It does provide exciting and challenging races. There were many lead changes and I had a good spot from the back!"
470 Men
The windy conditions suited the Australian team of Matthew Belcher and Malcolm Page, scoring the best results in the 470 men's division. Placed 14th after Thursday light air races, the Sailing World Cup leaders gain 10 places to 4th overall. 'This is the first day with good wind for the whole season; it is good to stretch the back", jokes Malcolm Page! The Beijing Gold Medallist who has teamed up with Matthew Belcher after the Olympics is combining a Farr 40 campaign with the 470. 'We want to do all the Sailing Wold Cup circuit and the Farr 40 racing helps me to pay the bills. With most events in Europe we need this year to travel four times back and forth. We have spent nearly five months in Europe this year! We use these regattas to develop as a team and be well prepared for the Worlds."
Nic Asher and Elliott Willis (GBR) are sailing away from the fleet, increasing their lead to 20 points over Gideon Kliger and Eran Sela (ISR).
'So far it's been an interesting regatta", says Asher 'We had quite light winds to start off with, we were pretty happy with our speed and we sailed pretty conservatively. It was the first day of gold fleet today and we had a bit of breeze. Again we were pretty fast, sailed pretty well again and managed to pull out a 20 point lead, so we're happy."
470 Women
Italian team Giulia Conti and Giovanna Micol take the lead in the women division with top four results including a victory. They are on equal points with Henriette Koch and Lene Sommer. The dutch team of Lisa Westerhof and Lobke Berkhout proved they love the breeze. The World Champions have taken two races and placed 6th. They are now only six points from the lead.
The 470's will finish their programme Saturday with two last races before competing the Medal race at 6PM for the Men and 7.20PM for the Women.
Star
The Norwegian team of Eivind Melleby and Petter Morland Pedersen continue on their domination of the Star fleet with top two scores. Second place goes to Marin Lovrovic and Sinisa Mikulicic (CRO) and third to Mateusz Kusznierewicz and Dominik Zycki (POL).
The Star will also race their Medal race on Saturday at 6.40PM after two fleet races in the morning.
RS:X results are not yet available.
Delta Lloyd Regatta
