Tom Slingsby, Laser winner. Image copyright Thom Touw.
by Corinne McKenzie
It was an exciting last day of the Delta Lloyd Regatta 2010. The breeze picked up to about 15-18 knots, sometimes gusting up to 20 knots during the match race finals. The remaining six Medal Races were sailed and Le Berre and Mcgregor had a close battle for the match racing title, won by the French trio.
Finn
The event leaders changed constantly during the Finn Medal Race sailed in a good breeze. Ivan Kljakovic Gaspic (CRO), seventh at the top mark had to come back to the front of the fleet to secure the title which changed hands several times during the race. Marin Misura (CRO) sailed in front during the whole race and went on to increase his lead before the finish to take third overall. The double European champion, Ivan gaspic (CRO) gained valuable places to finish in 3rd place and take Gold. Rafael Trujillo (ESP) conserves Silver.
Women's Match Racing
Women's Match Racing finals. Image copyright Thom Touw.
The semi finals were raced on Sunday morning. The British team of Lucy Mcgregor won 3-0 against Bekatorou while Anne-Claire Le Berre (FRA) won 3-0 against Echegoyen. Lucy McGregor (GBR) and Anne-Claire Le Berre (FRA) teams met in the finals, for the first time in the event for a best of 5.
Both teams got two races each playing the title on the last Match. After a good start McGregor took the lead until the last leg when the French enjoyed an XL gust to sail away to the finish and collect their first Sailing world Cup victory.
The happy trio of Anne-Claire Le Berre, Alice Ponsar and Myrtille Ponge didn't hide their joy: 'This victory means a lot for us. This is the first time that a French team wins a Match-racing event in the Sailing World Cup. This is the result of all a team work and hard training over winter. It is also very special to win against the British who have been undefeated until today. We know that to win their team we needed to give it all. Our objective was to get to the semi-finals, so everything after was a bonus. Today we were confident with our manoeuvres, boat handling and speed. Our motivation did the rest."
RS:X overall wins for Miarczynski and Manchon
The wind was very light when the RS:X men started their medal Race on Sunday morning. Regatta leader Przemek Miarczynski (POL) won the race on the line to take his first title of the season. Andreas Carioulou (CYP) dominated the Medal Race but Miarczynski gradually caught up to pass him on the last meters. 'I was waiting for the gusts to catch up with Andreas. On the last run, I went to the right and did my job! It had been difficult racing, both physically and mentally. The light wind meant pumping constantly and looking out for the shifts and pressure." Going into the Medal race in fifth position, Nick Dempsey (GBR) took third place in the Medal Race and Silver in the event, with Nimrod Mashiah (ISR) keeping bronze, only one point from Piotr Myszka (POl) who loses his earlier second place to fourth.
Blanca Manchon (ESP), undefeated since the start of the event, wins the Delta Lloyd Regatta after a Medal race sailed at the back of the fleet: ' Today I had to sail with Zofia Keplacka (POL) to make sure I stayed in front of her. It didn't matter that I sailed in front or at the back. She is the only one that could threaten me!" The Pole takes Silver and Beijing bronze medallist, Bryony Shaw (GBR) the bronze. Marina Alabau (ESP) wins the Medal Race.
Aussies win 49er & Laser classes
The Delta Lloyd regatta marked successfully the return to international competition of Australian world champions. Tom Slingsby has dominated the Laser fleet in the Dutch event and takes Gold after an epic medal race. Positions changed regularly with the light and shifty wind; disqualifications given by the jury for excessive kinetics added to the drama and were decisive in the overall results. Lukka Radelic collected his second disqualifications and had to retire from the race. Javier Hernandez (ESP) loses the lead of the Medal race and the Silver medal on the last run after collecting his first 'yellow" flag. The Spaniard will have to settle for Bronze leaving the Silver for Matias del Solar (CHI).
'With these conditions I had decided to play it safe. I was worried to get flagged as well.", explains Slingsby. 'I like the conditions in Medemblik. I always sail well here. It's my favourite spot."
Drama at 49er Medal Race
Aussie 49er winners. Image copyright Sander van der Borch.
Nathan Outteridge and Iain Jensen (AUS) got the best out of today's Medal Race in the 49'ers. Placed in second position behind Austrians Nico delle Karth and Nikolau Resch, the Australians took the lead of the race at the bottom mark when the regatta leaders capsized. Their misfortune benefited the Australians and the New-Zealanders Burling/Tuke who took first and second in the Medal race and the regatta. Nathan Outteridge and Iain Jensen retain their title won last year.
Laser Radial: Bouwmeester dominates Medal Race
Event's leader Marit Bouwmeester (NED) finished her strong performance at this year's Delta Lloyd Regatta in style. She won the Medal Race and added a fifth bullet to her series. Evi Van Acker was her biggest threat. After the starting gun, the Belgian number four on the ISAF World Ranking tried her luck on the right side of the course, as a big shower was coming in from there. Bouwmeester decided differently: 'I did not expect the pressure to build up that quickly, so I stayed with my gust." Bouwmeester took and early lead, whereas Van Acker came sixth around the top mark. Her Dutch rival maintained her first position and won the regatta. 'Winning a World Cup is cool, but it is not my main objective. It is still a long way to London. I am happy with the experience and learning points of this week. It was good to sail the Medal Race under pressure." Van Acker won silver and Veronika Fenclova (CZE) bronze.
2.4mR duel decided in protest room
The Paralympic 2.4mR class sailed one last race. Current IFDS World Champion and title defender Thierry Schmitter (NED) had a two-point lead over Frenchman Damien Seguin. Schmitter finished one spot ahead of him in third position and was going to win the 2010 Delta Lloyd Regatta. However, the 2004 Paralympic Champion and 2008 silver medalist Seguin protested him. On the run, the two of them sailed next to each other with Schmitter in leeward. Seguin luffed and Schmitter had to stay free and followed, but his boom touched the French 2.4mR. The Dutchman lost the protest and therefore the overall victory to Seguin. Schmitter: 'It is a pity to finish a regatta this way, but that detracts nothing from my performance on the water." Helena Lucas (GBR) takes bronze in Medemblik.
Delta Lloyd Regatta
