Favorites jump into lead despite unstable conditions
After the first race day in the Junior world championships in the beautiful Norwegian city of Risor, two teams from New Zealand are leading after three races in the 49er class. Jackson Keon and Scott McKensie are tied in the lead with two points to their fellow citizens Isaac McHardie and William McKenzie.
“It was pretty tricky race today. There were many lead changings. The wind seemed to be from one direction, but it would change once we crossed the starting line,” says Keon and McKensie. They find Risor a very nice place to compete.
“New Zealand is one of the world’s most beautiful places, but it’s always fun to go to other places, and Risor is a great place to sail,” they said.
Home favorites Tomas and Mads Mathisen from Norway also had a good opening in the championship, and with positions 7, 9 and 6, these two Risor boys is in sixth place overall. They said in a post race interview that they had good speed and maneuvers, so there is hope for a good position in the end.
Bronze winners from the European Championships in 49erFX, the promising Swedes Vilma Bobeck and Malin Tengstrøm, are leading in 49erFX class. World champions in 29er from the World Sailing Youth Championship in 2018, Pia Dahl Andersen and Nora Edland got a tough debut in 49erFX and started with 32 and false start, but they impressed in the last race with 5th place.
Also in the lead of the Nacra 17 are Gianluigi Uglinao and Maria Giubilei from Italy, who are the defending Junior European Champions.
During the opening ceremony in Tuesday it was a fantastic atmosphere in the little city, with many people in the streets, music and flags.
Racing coninues in Risor until July 7, 2019.
Find all the results, photos and video at the event website.
