British Sailing Team windsurfers out in force for the Medemblik regatta

Emma Wilson at the Youth Worlds in Sanya, China © Jesus Renedo / Sailing Energy / World Sailing

The British Sailing Team windsurfers have targeted the Medemblik regatta from 22-26 May to learn valuable lessons ahead of the upcoming 2018 World Championships in Aarhus, Denmark, this July.

A strong British representation in both the men’s and women’s fleet will be on the RS:X start line and will be joined by sailors from the Laser, Laser Radial, 49erFX and Nacra 17 classes.

“The RS:X line up in Medemblik provides one of the last opportunities to race in a big fleet before the Worlds in Aarhus,” said two-time RS:X Youth Worlds champion Emma Wilson, 19, from Christchurch.

“Everything is geared up to the Worlds this year so I’m just going in to this regatta to learn as much as I can from the racing so that I can take that forward for later in the year.”

Wilson will be joined in the Netherlands by young guns Saskia Sills, 21, and Islay Watson, 17, who will be representing Great Britain at the Youth Worlds in Corpus Christi, USA later in the year.

Olympian Bryony Shaw will also be racing in preparation for the Worlds continuing her comeback from taking time out for the birth of her son Jaddek.

In the men’s fleet the goals are the same as their female counterparts, to learn lessons ahead of the Worlds, and for Kieran Holmes-Martin that is especially true.

“It's still my first year after finishing university,” said Holmes-Martin, 22, from Cheadle, “so I'm trying to get some regattas under my belt.

“Events like Medemblik give me a great opportunity to get my sailing right and the way I want it to be at the Worlds when I really need to perform, right now I can do that without the usual pressure.”

As well as time on the water the location of the event is also a big draw for Holmes-Martin, “Well it's a cracking place to start with, but more importantly the conditions are similar to Aarhus so some good experience for the Worlds.”

Racing alongside Holmes-Martin in the men’s squad are Tom Squires, Dan Wilson and Andy Brown.

Much like the women’s RS:X, the British representatives in the Laser Standard and Radial line up have a youthful look about it as Elliot Hanson, 24, Sam Whaley, 21, and Clementine Thompson, 21, compete for One-Person dinghy honours.

Charlotte Dobson and crew Saskia Tidey will be joined by Megan Brickwood and Ellie Aldridge in the 49erFX while John Gimson and Anna Burnet go in the Nacra 17.

Racing begins at the Medemblik Regatta at 10:30 local time (08:30 UTC) on Tuesday 22 May.

For full results go to medemblikregatta.org/results

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