THIERRY SCHMITTER (THE NETHERLANDS) WORLD CHAMPION 2.4mR
An unbelievably exciting sailing day in Medemblik with ‘fireworks’ in all classes. Fantastic weather, and , at last, good wind varying from 20 – 30 knots. The best conditions you can wish for the last day of this Worlds. In all classes all options were still open since the lead pack sailors were so narrow in points.
Thierry Schmitter was at his best with this wind. He sailed two fabulous races today and crossed the finishline as first in both races.
Heiko Kroger fought back like a tiger, great as well , after the todays first race was still one point ahead of Thierry. After a rocket start of Thierry in the second race nothing could stop him from winning anymore and he could prolong his second World title in succession.
Silver for Heiko Kroger (GER) , Bronze for Megan Pascoe (GBR) who also sailed an excellent Worlds by constantly sailing in
the leading fleet. Canadian Paul Tingley was 4th overall and Damien Sequin (RA) 5th.
ALEXANDRA RICKHAM & NIKI BIRREL (GBR) WORLD CHAMPION SKUD 18
Team Rickham & Birrel proved today that they also can play the game with stronger wind, but they had to fight hard for it. The first race was a neck to neck race for New Zealand, the Aussies, USA and Great Britain. They all gave Rickham & Birrel a hard time and they finished 5 (their lowest score so far). In the second race Rickham & Birrel were heading for gold and finished 4, good for their World title. USA Scott Whitman and Julia Dorsett, who sailed an equally strong Worlds grabbed the Silver, Daniel Fitzgibbon and Rachael Cox (Australia) the Bronze.
UDO HESSELS, MARCEL VAN DE VEEN AND MISCHA ROSSEN WORLD CHAMPIONS IN THE SONAR
Who would become the champ in the Sonar Class? On the basis of the preliminary results after 7 races everyone predicted a battle between Germany and the Netherlands. In race 8 both teams were not able to catch up with the fleet leaders. Team Jens Kroker sailed 6 and 11 today, Team Udo Hessels 8 and 3. Line honors today were twice for the French team Bruno Jourden, Eric Flageul and Nicolas Vimont Vicary who were in superb shape. A excellent double second place was for GBR team John Robertson, Hannah Stodel and Steve Thomas placed them at the top of the league with equal points (31) as Germany and the Netherlands. A protest from the Dutch team against the USA team made everyone hold their breath when the jury deliberated. Cheers when it was decided in favor of the Dutch team! A magnificent performance for this team who got their first title in 2003 and now scooped their second Worlds title.
Congratulations to all winners. Both competitors, officials and the organizing committee can look back on a wonderful Delta Lloyd IFDS Worlds, with 9 fair races sailed despite daily thunder storm predictions.
