Demanding conditions in Risør
Todays racing demanded heavy weather skills as the north easterly on the outer course of Risor offered heavy seas and strength up to 25 knots changeable both in strength and direction. It was at times too much for some, but being a World Championship regatta this type of condition is a fair test to be mastered.
The young Swedes, Wilma Brobeck and Malin Tengstrom who impressed everyone who really impressed in the light during the recent European championship, showed that they also mastered the heavier stuff. With a 5th, a 2nd and a 1st. they hold a comfortable lead over Willemijn Offerman and Elise Ryuter, NED and Australians Natasha Bryant and Annie Wilmot and are the defending Junior World Champions.
Jackson Keon and Scott McKenzie had a rough day today and dropped to 10th over all, while the older brother McKenzie, William assumed an impressive lead with his partner Isaac McHardie after two firsts and a second.
They excelled in the demanding condition and at halfway point in the series look set for a medal, quite possibly gold.
Gianluigi Ugolini and Maria Giubile, ranked 15th in the Word, continues to dominate the Nacra17 class. The team is part of the young and upcoming Italian Nacra17 team and have already competed in many major events, such as previous World Cup Series events, the Trofeo Princesa Sofia, Nacra 17 European Championship and the Auckland 2016 Aon Youth Sailing World Championships. In Risør they are the only Italian team and have accumulated a small lead over the Danish team of Natacha Violet Saouma-Pedersen and Mathias Bruun Borreskov.
The regatta continues tomorrow with the Nacra17 sailing to be moved to the city course, just in front of the main quay. Their racing starts at 1400.
Results, photos, video and more can be found on the regatta website.
