Henri Demesmaeker & Frederique van Eupen (BEL) win Nacra 15 Worlds in Barcelona
by Edwin Loder 29 Apr 2018 12:35 PDT
23-27 April 2018
Nacra 15 Worlds in Barcelona © Laurens Morel /
www.saltycolours.com
Congratulations to Henri Demesmaeker and Frederique van Eupen and their coach Sebbe Godefroid for winning the 2018 Nacra 15 World Championship in Barcelona! Over the last week in Barcelona, 60 eager Nacra 15 youth teams representing 18 Nations and four continents sailed their inaugural Nacra 15 World Championship. Competitors from Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Germany, Canada, Spain, Finland, France, Great Britain, Italy, US Virgin Islands, Holland, New Zealand, Poland, Singapore, Switzerland and the United States.
Catalonian weather conditions although beautiful, were difficult with Monday and Tuesday leaving the fleet ashore without a breath. After a long wait afloat on Wednesday, when it did fill for three races it was shifty and puffy suiting the tactical and lighter teams. 19 races were scheduled for the championship and the race committee did well to run a total of 10. Thursday saw maximum effort to get the race count in with a scheduled 8.15am start seeing the fleet prepare at dawn. Unfortunately after two attempts to get the fleet away the light northerly gave out slowly swinging to the east and after a very long wait, finally giving the fleet a further 3 races again in light wind conditions.
Saving the best until last, on the final day Barcelona delivered. Friday was excellent conditions with the building breeze testing the sailors and giving the older more powerful sailors the opportunity to push on, twin trapezing and really getting the best from the exciting Nacra 15. The breeze built in the first three races and dropping again for the fourth of the day. Although a predominantly light regatta, there was something for everyone giving a balanced, hard earned result.
Overall Results: (top three)
1) Henri Demesmaeker & Fredrique van Eupen (BEL)
2) Doran Gouran Le Rich & Kenza Coutard (FRA)
3) Thomas Proust & Martineau Clement (FRA)
The best team under 16 was the French team Thomas Proust (11 year) & Martineau Clement (14 year). After the first 2 days they were leading the fleet, but could not consolidate this during the final racing day with more wind. We expect a lot of this team in the future!
Full results can be found at nacra.vela.cat/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/FINAL-RESULTS.pdf
This championship was also important for the qualification of 7 further countries to participate in October 2018 during the Youth Olympic Games in Argentina. The goal, to be one of the fourteen Nacra 15 teams representing their respective countries who will participate during these Youth Olympic Games. The teams must be mixed teams in the age born between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2003. The qualification system to participate the Youth Olympics is based on four qualification events: In October 2017 in Medemblik the countries Switzerland and Tunisia have qualified; in November in America the countries USA and Uruguay and in January in Australia the countries Australia and Singapore. Host Nation, Argentina has a wildcard to participate the Youth Olympics. After the Nacra 15 Worlds in Barcelona 7 more countries have qualified: Belgium, France, Netherlands, Austria, Spain, Italy and Germany to complete the 14 allowed countries/teams.
The Nacra 15 class, originating in 2016 has grown quickly, now approaching seeing 200 boats distributed Worldwide. The Nacra 15 is the smaller non-foiling version of the Olympic Nacra 17. Nacra 15, complementing the C foil fleet with a fully foiling option potentially available over 2019. The Nacra 15 is the perfect to have maximum fun whilst being a pathway for the youth to Olympic Sailing.
It's so enthusing to see such a wide range of young sailors and athletes embracing Nacra 15, racing hard whilst making friends across the globe. For young sailors the Nacra 15 is really very exciting to sail. Sailors are predominantly coming from Optimist, Topper, 29'er or 420 and are sailing the Nacra 15 now for only 6 – 12 months. For some it's been a big transition but teams have learned very fast which has given such competitive, tight racing right across the fleet with multiple boats finishing just meters from each other. Total high performance sailing at an impressive level, that's Nacra 15.
The Nacra 15 Worlds has taken place at Barcelona International Sailing Center and is organized by Federació Catalana de Vela, Real Nautical Club, Reial Club Maritim Barcelona and the International Nacra 15 Class Association. The event is sponsored by the Government of Barcelona, Forward WIP, Island Tribe sun protection, Code Zero, Harken, PEGA trailers and Nacra Sailing.