29er Worlds - Team Postma/Bramervaer wins opening day in Medemblik

by Diana Bogaards on 26 Jul 2016 Dutchmen Lars Postma and Quinten Bramervaer won the opening day of the 29er Worlds 2016 in Medemblik, Netherlands.

They are leading after three races on Monday July 25, on equal points with the 2015 Optimist World Champion Rok Verderber and his crew Klemen Semelbauer from Slovenia. The Australians Tom Crockett and Harry Morton are in third position, also on equal points with the numbers four and five.

The southwester breeze was a bit stronger in the morning, varying from 7,5 to 13,5 knots. The wind dropped a few knots in the second race, but picked up again in the afternoon. The 228 boats strong fleet completed, divided into six groups, three races on three courses.

'It was amazing, we got two first places', commented Postma, who recently won silver at the 29er Euopeans in Norway. 'It was really our weather, so we enjoyed the racing and had great opportunities. We sailed fast and played the shifts and gusts well.'

The Slovenian newcomers to the 29er class surprised by grabbing two victories on the IJsselmeer as well: 'We have sailed four regattas so far. We like the light weather, so we benefited from today's circumstances.' Postma and Bramervaer won the third and final race of the day, in which Verderber and Semelbauer finished fourth, which lifted them to the leading spot.

Gwendal Nael and Lilian Mercier from France, winners of the third Europa Cup this season, showed their ambition of improving their eighth place at last year's Worlds. They are currently in fourth position, followed by the Germans Ingmar and Henrik Vieregge. Both teams are on equal points with the Aussies Crocket and Morton in third place.

Best all female team were Aleksandra Melzacka and Maja Micinska from Poland. They finished fourteenth overall with a score of 7-1-10.

The weather forecast for tomorrow, Tuesday July 26, looks challenging with very light conditions. The best chances for racing will be in the morning with about 5 knots of breeze. There are four qualifying races scheduled.

Top five after three races:

1.NED - Lars Postma and Quinten Bramervaer, 6 points
2.SLO - Rok Verderber and Klemen Semelbauer, 6 points
3.AUS - Tom Crockett and Harry Morton, 9 points
4.FRA - Gwendal Nael and Lilian Mercier, 9 points
5.GER- Ingmar Vieregge and Henrik Vieregge, 9 points

About the 2016 29er Worlds

The 29er Worlds 2016 are organized by the Royal Yacht Club Hollandia in conjunction with the International 29er Class Association and the 9er Events Foundation. The 29er Worlds in this Olympic year will see a record number of participants since the first edition in 2000.

The first 3 out of 10 scheduled qualifying races will be sailed on Monday July 25. The final series of 10 scheduled races commences on Thursday July 28 and the new champions will be crowned on Saturday July 30.

About the International 29er Class Association

The 29er is an open class for both age and gender, yet has a separate men's and women's fleet at the World Sailing Youth Worlds.The 29er is raced around the world in 53 countries and has produced many World and Olympic champions in other classes including the 49erFX for women and the 49er.