Dutch Youth Regatta - Day 1
by Fettje Osinga 6 May 2016 17:38 AEST
5-8 May 2016
Dutch Youth Regatta day 1 © Valentijn van Duijvendijk
Tricky day on the water
The Dutch Youth Regatta kicked off this morning after the final measurements and registration: 704 youth sailors, 632 boats and 22 nations are competing at this event in Workum, The Netherlands. It's the first of the 4 days of racing scheduled. For now the Dutch are taking the lead in 4 out of 7 classes.
Unstable weather
The venue felt much like the Costa del Sol. Likely the sailors from Curacao are relieved that the sun is out but, it also means some difficult weather where the committees have to deal with setting the courses. After one race the wind starts shifting and drop down in force.
Not easy to sail
The competitors all agree on one thing: that was a difficult day out on the water. Most of the fleet got two races in only the Cadet sailed three races today. The Dutch leading in 4 of the classes, but still all to play for with three more days of racing to go. The Dutch are leading in the Cadet class with Loïc Wilschut & Yannick Engel, Emma Savelon in de Laser 4.7, Titouan Savelon in de Laser Radial and Eva Asbeek Brusse in the Splash Blue. Remarkable result is that Daniel Cante from Slovakia is not only leading the Optimist Benjamin fleet but the overall Optimist fleet as well. The French team of Gwendal Nael & Lilian Mercier are the team to beat in the spectacular 29er fleet.
Sunday afternoon it's known who the new Open Dutch Champion will be in the seven youth classes competing in Holland.
About the Dutch Youth Regatta
For 15 years already, The Dutch Youth Regatta (DYR) has been a leading event for youth sailing classes in Europe. About 750 youth sailors (age 8 to 23 years old) from 24 nations are in Workum each year for this four-day regatta. They are competing for the title of Open Dutch Champion. In each class only the best sailors will represent their country. Not only from Europe but also sailors from India, Singapore, USA, Bermuda and Argentina are present at this Dutch Event.
The organising authority is the Dutch Youth Regatta Foundation, in cooperation with the Dutch sailing federation, the class associations as well as the clubs who are sending their race committees: KZ&RV Hollandia, WV Braassemermeer and ZW Workum. The event is being held at Aqua Resort It Soal in Workum, The Netherlands.
Full results can be found via www.dutchyouthregatta.org/results. The best way to follow the event is trough the live blog on www.dutchyouthregatta.org/media/live-blog