Foto copyright Sander van der Borch
Fuente info Sailworld
Delta Lloyd Regattta day two challenging and shifty
Delta Lloyd Regatta 2011 is being sailed in Medemblik Holland from 24th to 29th May 2011 and is the fifth leg of the ISAF Sailing World Cup.
On day two of the event sailors faced more challenging conditions and shifty winds than on day one.
'Olympic couple' Robert and Gintare Scheidt, racing in the Star and the Laser Radial are leading their class with top results including a win in the last race. At the end of the day they Match-raced each others in the 'fun race' organised for the day winners. Robert took the win but Gintare is aiming to take her revenge before the end of the week!
The Stars were last off the water last night, with their fourth race ending at 9.30 PM! Beijing Silver medallists, Robert Scheidt and Bruno Prada (BRA) took the early lead with a third and a win, followed by another win in today's last race. They are continuing on their good form after winning the Semaine Olympique Française in Hyères with a day to spare.
After a victory in their last event in Palma, Iain Percy and Andrew Simpson (GBR) are in second position and in contention for the event title. Canadians Richard Clarke and Tyler Bjorn, and last year SWC winners Eivind Melleby and Petter Moerland Pedersen (NOR) are only one point from second.
Beijing Silver medallist Gintare Scheidt (LTU) is climbing to first place in the Laser radial after mastering the day's tricky conditions. 'The wind was very shifty and the positions changed constantly throughout the races.' Tina Mihelic (CRO) who is still carrying a disqualification from the first day won the first race and placed fourth in the second. She is in tenth overall.
'It was a difficult day with big shifts but I sailed well. I look forward more races to discard my OCS and come up in the rankings.'
Early leader Marit Bouwmeester (NED) lost seven places after a difficult day. She comments on her 39th with: 'On the first race I got carried away, too eager, I went too far left and ended up with less wind.' Bouwmeester compared today's conditions with the ones encountered in Weymouth when the northerly is blowing.
Milan Vujasinovic (CRO) conserves the lead in the Laser on equal points with Bruno Fontes from Brazil. 'I am happy with today's results and to keep the lead.' says the Croat, 'Light winds are not my favoured conditions, and I found it really hard! I just had to be patient and wait to benefit from the situations that came my way.'
In the RS:X, Palma's winner Dorian van Rijsselberge (NED) takes the lead from JP Tobin (NZL) after consistent sailing.
'I have not seen conditions so unstable, the wind went right and left and up and down. In the second race I ended up in a hole in the middle and rounded the top mark in 30th position. These conditions also gave me opportunities to catch up and finally finish fifth!' explains the Dutch.
2010 Asian Games champion, Wang Aichen (CHN) wins the second race and places in sixth position overall.
In the Women's division, Mayaan Davidovich (ISR) who placed ninth in the Delta lloyd regatta last year is taking the lead with consistent results. Jessica Crisp (AUS) is following closely after winning the first race of the day. The Chinese sailors are once again proving their strong abilities in windsurfing claiming, third, fourth and fifth places.
Olympic medallist Fernanda Oliveira with new crew Ana Luiza Barbachan (BRA) have taken the lead in the 470 after top three results in today's tricky conditions. Yuka Yoshisako and Noriko Okuma (JAP), fifth at the 470 Spring Cup are taking second position overall.
After mixed results (19th and first), early leaders Martine Grael and Isabel Swan (BRA) are in third in front of Dutch team of Lisa Westerhof and Lobke Berkhout who have collected near perfect results with a first and a second.
In the Men's division, Sime Fantela and Igor Marenic (CRO) are conserving their lead, three points over world number one Mat Belcher and Malcolm Page (AUS).
The day went to the Japanese teams with Tetsuya Matsunaga / Kimihiko Imamura and Ichino Naoki/Ryouhei Froyliche enjoying the conditions with a second and a first each.
'We like the light conditions so today was a day for us.' explains Tetsuya, 'We were in the lead at the top mark but got passed by Ichino and Ryouhei. We beat them again downwind.' The Japanese 470 has a strong team in Medemblik. 'We are five boats training together and progressing together as well.' Tetsuya and Kimihiko, after finishing 18th in Medemblik in previous years, have an objective of top three in this event.
Finn World Champion Ed Wright (GBR) is increasing his lead in the Finn fleet after winning a second race today. Ivan Kljakovic Gaspic (CRO) is second, ten points from Laser Olympic medalist, Slovenian Vasilij Zbogar. The second race in the Finn penalised eight boats over the line. Among them, Dan Slater (NZL) is collecting his second penalty.
In the 49er, yesterday leaders, the Australians Outteridge/Jensen and the Philips brothers, got disqualified by the jury for rounding the wrong mark. Stevie Morrison and Ben Rhodes (GBR) are taking the lead with Peter Kruger Andersen and Nicolai Thorsell (DEN) in second and the Australians Outteridge/Jensen third.
The qualification stage in the Women Match racing is nearly completed. In Group A, Tamara Echegoyen (ESP) and team have continued on their perfect racing with eight wins and will enter the Gold group undefeated. Team Tunnicliffe (USA) have had a better day with four wins and are second in the Gold. Second spanish team of Roca is taking the third place in the Gold from Group A.
There are still some matches to be raced in Group B, Groeneveld (NED) and Skudina (RUS) have both collected six victories. Racing will resume in the morning to decide the three teams qualified in the Gold fleet.
'The matches have been really hard and a real contest so we are happy with our results. We are in the Gold group thanks to real team work. Yesterday, in the breeze every small mistake could cost a lot and we needed to be careful. Today the wind was hard to read and my crew did a great work with the strategies. We needed to be very attentive to the wind shifts.' explained Tamara Echegoyen (ESP).
Thierry Schmitter (NED) and Megan Pascoe (GBR) are continuing with their series of first and second places and increase their margin over the rest of the fleet.
Thursday will be the last chances for classes racing in groups to qualify for the Gold fleet. Racing continues until 29th May.
Resultados parciales click acá
