Jessica Crisp in box seat at SPA Regatta

by Di Pearson on 29 May 2004 The third day of the SPA Regatta in Medemblik, Holland, was a day filled with sunshine and light airs, but all races were sailed, with Australia’s best results coming from Olympic representative, Jessica Crisp, who is holding a commanding second place.

Crisp, who will go to Athens, also represented at Sydney 2000 and has always excelled in the light airs. Her former rival for Olympic selection, Allison Shreeve, has slipped back to 14th on 56 points in her unsuited conditions – much preferring the heavier winds.

Crisp is in within striking distance of the leader, Amelie Lux (GER) who is on 15 points, whilst former Aussie World champion, Natasha Sturges (GBR) is in third place with 26 points after suffering an OCS in the third race.

In the Mistral Mens, the two Australian entries are fairing well – the ‘old man’ of the fleet, Lars Kleppich (now in his late 30’s) is 13th overall after having suffered, like a number of the Aussies, an OCS.

He is 57 points behind the leader, Joeri van Dijk (NED), who has 11 points. Corey Plant (AUS) is doing a great job in this world class fleet, currently in 25th overall.

Julien Bontemps (FRA) has been relegated to second place overall after leading the regatta, while Marcos Galvan (ARG) is in third, a good 16 points behind Bontemps. The top two appear to be in a class of their own.

The leaders in the Gold fleet of the 49er class are Iker Martinez/Xavier Fernandez (ESP). Michael Hestbaek/Dennis Dengsoe (DEN) are second placed - only one point separates the two, while another Dane pair Jonas Warrer/Peter Kruger Andersen (DEN) are equal third with Chris Draper/Simon Hiscocks (GBR).

Chris Nicholson/Gary Boyd (AUS), are currently tenth placed after two drops, an OCS not helping their scoreboard. However, they are in a position where they could finish in a top three place.

Colin Beashel/David Giles (AUS) are picking up the pace after a fifth place in Race 6 to be equal eighth overall with Paul Cayard/Phil Tranter (USA) on 50 points apiece. The overall leaders, however, are ‘Star Masters’ Ross Macdonald/Mike Wolfs (CAN) with 22 points.

Although the pair are yet to win a race, they have a five point lead from the second placed Peter Bromby/Lee White (BER), with a further three points to Roberto Bermudel de castro/Pablo Arrarte (ESP).

Australia’s Anthony ‘Nocka’ Nossiter maintains his mid-field position in the Finn class, currently in 24th overall with average results in the twenties, he is now on 97 points.

Ben Ainslie (GBR) continues his assault on the Finn title with four wins from six races for 18 points after one race drop, which in his case, was an OCS, lifting his result dramatically.

Sebastien Godefroid (BEL) is holding down second, eight points behind the leader, with Mateusz Kusznierewicz (POL) in third, just three points astern of the Belgian.

In the Yngling keelboat, Nicky Bethwaite/Kristen Kosmala/Karyn Gojnich (AUS) are having a frustrating time. After a ninth in their previous tougher event, the Yngling Worlds, the trio are down in 21st place on 75 points, an OCS opening their regatta and not being able to place better than 11th.

Bethwaite commented, ‘this is really very frustrating, I know our boat speed is good, I think we’ll just have to concentrate on the other things, like tactics, a bit better. We are all disappointed.’

Kristin Wagner/Anna Hoell/Veronka Lochbrunner (GER) lead the Yngling on 13 points from Karianne Eikerland/Beate Kristiansen/Lise Birgitte Fredr (NOR) with 20 points and Guilia Conti/Alessandra Marenzi/Angela Baroni (ITA) on 28 points.

The SPA regatta finishes Sunday May 30, Sydney time.

For full results, pics and more: www.sparegatta.org/2004