Delta Lloyd Regatta - Rickham and Birrell look to extend unbeaten run

by Lindsey Bell on 20 May 2014 British sailors Alexandra Rickham and Niki Birrell will be looking to extend their unbeaten run to five regattas in the Paralympic SKUD class when they take to Dutch waters for the second leg of the EUROSAF Champions Sailing Cup series this week (20-24 May).

Rickham and Birrell are among 30 British Sailing Team members across seven classes set to race at the five-day Delta Lloyd Regatta at Medemblik, with the five-time World Champions unbeaten in the SKUD class since winning Paralympic Games bronze in 2012.

The duo, who were also crowned European Champions last year, opened the EUROSAF series with victory in Garda earlier this month, and are set to join five other SKUD crews when racing starts at the Ijsselmeer on Tuesday.
Fellow Paralympic sailors John Robertson, Hannah Stodel and Steve Thomas will be aiming to maintain their medal-winning streak in the Sonar class, with World Cup series silverware from Miami (silver) and Hyeres (gold) to show for their 2014 season so far, while Megan Pascoe will also be hoping to continue her 100% podium record from her three events this year in the 2.4mR class.

Paralympic gold medallist Helena Lucas will also be among the 25 boats contesting the 2.4mR event, where strong opposition from the host’s sailors can be expected.

In the Olympic Classes, the 2012 silver medallist Luke Patience and new crew, double World Champion Elliot Willis, will embark on the third regatta of their new partnership in the 470 men’s event, with Podium Potential squad sailors Anna Burnet and Flora Stewart the sole British entry in the 470 women’s class.

The British Sailing Team’s five-boat Nacra 17 squad is out in force, including world number two pairing Ben Saxton and Hannah Diamond, while in the 49er event Dylan Fletcher and Alain will be hoping to bounce back from a disappointing end to their Hyeres World Cup efforts, with world number two crew John Pink and Stuart Bithell also looking to continue their progress as a new team in their fifth event together in the men’s skiff class.

Racing at the Delta Lloyd regatta kicks off at 1100hrs (local) on Tuesday 20 May with medal races for the 49er class from 1800hrs on Friday 23 May, and medal racing for all other fleets from 1100hrs on Saturday 24 May.

Entries for the Sail for Gold Regatta – the third leg of the EUROSAF Champions Cup series at Weymouth and Portland – remain open until this Friday, 23 May here.

British Sailing Team line-up for the Delta Lloyd Regatta, Medemblik:

2.4mR
Helena Lucas
Megan Pascoe
Will Street
Carol Dugdale

470 Men
Luke Patience-Elliot Willis

470 Women
Anna Burnet-Flora Stewart

49er
Dylan Fletcher-Alain Sign
John Pink-Stuart Bithell

Nacra 17
Ben Saxton-Hannah Diamond
Lucy Macgregor-Andrew Walsh
Pippa Wilson-John Gimson
Rupert White-Nikki Boniface
Tom Phipps-Zennor Pascoe

SKUD 18
Alexandra Rickham-Niki Birrell

Sonar
John Robertson-Hannah Stodel-Steve Thomas
Craig Wood-Steven Palmer-Liam Event website