Dutch Youth Regatta - Overall
by Fettje Osinga 9 May 2016 17:52 BST
5-8 May 2016
The international Dutch Youth Regatta concluded with a day with heavy winds: a big contrast with the previous race days where light winds characterised the event. 704 sailors battled on the IJsselmeer in front of Workum, The Netherlands for the title of Open Dutch Champion in the Optimist, Optimist Benjamin, Cadet, Laser 4.7, Laser Radial Youth, 29er and Splash Blue classes.
France, Switzerland and Belgium taking home the 'Blue Pennant'
The foreign sailors came back strong after the Dutch sailors dominated the event on the first day. Young hero Richard Schultheis from Malta managed to not only win the youth Benjamin fleet, but just missed the first spot in the overall results by one race to become second in this 401 boats strong fleet. It was Max Wallenberg from Switserland that managed to win in the biggest fleet of the regatta.
In the 29er class the French Gwendal Nael & Lilian Mercier dominated: they hold a 32 point lead over the runner op of the fleet, the Finnish Alexander Grönblom and Martin Mikkola. Max, Richard and Gwendal & Lilian took home the 'Blue Pennant' the prestigious price representing the title of Dutch Champion.
Drama in Cadet fleet
The Belgium team Thibaud Dirix and Ziva Perko came off the water as the number one in their class but, they where protested. A disqualification in race 12 made them drop to second place and Victor De Ripainsel & Kobe Stroobandt also from Belgium, taking the title.
In the Splash Class Erik Voets recovered well from the disqualification in his first race of the event en took the overall win in this mainly Dutch class.
Dutch winners in the Laser classes
Emma Savelon sailed strong all week in the Laser 4.7 fleet and takes the win 27 points ahead of number two Laila van der Meer. Aloysius Lin takes the final spot, representing Singapore. In the Laser Radial it is a clean sweep for the Dutch: Eric-Jan Westerhof.
Robert van Notten Memorial trophy
In honour and memory of Robert van Notten and his passion for developing Dutch youth sailing, this trophy is awarded to the best Dutch sailor in the Optimist class. Gaby van Notten awarded the trophy for the first time to Teun in der Maur. Robert was one of the founders of the Dutch Youth Regatta over 15 years ago and has run the event until he passed away last November.
Full results can be found via www.dutchyouthregatta.org/results.