TV3/F&P Star third equal on Day 1 at Medemblik

by Rohan Lord on 24 May 2007
Yachting NZ Olympic Squad member, Rohan Lord reports on the opening day of the Star class at the ISAF Grade 1 Holland Regatta at Medemblik

Day 1, was light sunny & hot, which made for quite a change from previous Holland/Spa regattas at this time of year. The field comprises of 33 boats, consisting of a high quality field being pre olympic year.

Due to the variable light winds, starting was posponed for all classes. the stars managed to start in the ealy afrternoon & the wind ranged from 2 - 5 knots with large shifts. So in summary a difficult day for the whole fleet.

The TV3/F & P star team (Rohan Lord/Miles Addy) finished the day with a 7 &
3 (3equal overall). Due to the fact that we have chartered a Lillia for the Europeans season on a trial basis, which has different performance characteristics than our own folli - there was an element of nervousnous as to how the Lillia would perform.

On a practice day we had a new North main and felt there was a speed deficit while trainng against Percy/Simpson.

Consequently we changed mains to a new Quantum today and upwind we had good speed. Downwind performance was indifferent but mainly due to technique. Diego Negri/Luigi Viale (Italy) are also third equal overall.

Day 1 leaders are Portugal's Afonso Domingos/Bernado Santos (ex Barcadi Cup
winners) who are tied with Germany's Marc Pickel/Ingo Borkowski (Olymolic reps & Kiel week Champions).

The forecast is for continuing light winds so, the will be inevitable surprises in the overall results, with short courses and limited passing lanes after Mark 1.