Medemblik Regatta - Preview

European podium RS:X at the Medemblik Regatta © Richard Langdon / Ocean Images

The 35th edition of the Medemblik Regatta is starting this Tuesday in the Netherlands. The medal races on Saturday will close the week of racing. Besides all the action on the water, the Nautical Festival, as part of the Medemblik Regatta, offers more activities.

From Tuesday to Saturday, European-, World - and Olympic Champions are racing in Medemblik. Reigning World and European Champion in the RS:X Women, the Dutch Lilian de Geus, will be determined to win the gold medal this week. Last year she had a difficult week of racing and came in second place. The Polish Zofia Noceti Klepacka won the Regatta last year. She is also present this year.

In the RS:X Men fleet, it's going to be an exciting battle between the Dutch Kiran Badloe and Dorian van Rijsselberge. This year Badloe became European Champion and was second placed at the World Championship last year. Multiple Olympic Champion van Rijsselberghe is the reigning World Champion. He ended up in a second place at the European Championship. We can expect some close racing between these two.

For the second time, the RS:X Youth is coming to Medemblik as well. Last years Regatta winner Fabien Pianazza (FRA) will be back to claim another podium place. He's one to watch since he also claimed the European Championship in his class this year.

Hansa class, skiff classes, Windfoil and Kitefoil

Besides the Olympic RS:X class, the 49er and 49erFX will race as well. We'll welcome the talents of this class since the top sailors are closing their European Championship in Weymouth at this moment. Another Skiff racing in Medemblik is the Musto Performance Skiff. Later this summer they have their World Championship in Medemblik, so this is the perfect event for them to prepare.

Although Paralympic sailing is off the calendar, the Medemblik Regatta includes the Hansa class to their event. This way the organisation continues its support and promotion of this sport.

Windfoil Surfing will start on Thursday. The Windfoilers start after the RS:X races are done, this way the RS:X surfers can also enter in the Windfoil Surfing. Aaron McIntosh, coach van Rijsselberge and Badloe, is excited about Windfoil Surfing: "It's the evolution of windsurfing and here to stay."

On Saturday we'll see more foiling classes with the Kiteboard Foil races. Kiteboard Foiling is a new Olympic Sport and will be added to the program in Paris 2024.

Nautical Festival

Part of the Medemblik Regatta this year is the Nautical Festival. Starting on Tuesday with the 'Optimist on Tour' where children learn to sail in the Optimist. On Friday and Saturday, you can also go for a clinic Powerkiting. Or hop on the Ferris Wheel for a ride and oversee the racing on the water and the activities in the city.

Saturday the whole city centre is joining the Nautical Festival with lots of activities, scouting, music and a dance show. After the price giving the Medemblik Regatta Nautical Festival will close the week with a Floating Movie: 'Pirates of the Caribbean - Dead men tell no tales'. You can watch this movie from your boat, or from the dock in the marina in the city centre.