Seiko 29er and 49er Worlds in Freeport, Grand Bahama Overall 4-9 January 2010

By Jerelyn Biehl

Spaniards rule

Winners of the 49er, Spain's Iker Mstinez de Lizarduy and Xabier Fernandez. Award presented by Grand Bahama Sailing Club VP, Ricky Rolle. Photo: Lyndah Wells

 

Iker Martinez and Xabier Fernandez of Spain have won their third 49er World Championship (’02, ’04, ’10) adding to their Olympic Gold medal from Athens in 2004 and Silver medal from Beijing in 2008. In true championship fashion, Martinez/Fernandez also won today’s medal race, held in 8-10 knots. Two-time defending champions Nathan Outteridge and Iain Jensen from Australia made a strong push by winning both the morning races moving them into 2nd which they held through the final results. Pietro and Gianfranco Sibello of Italy won the bronze.

49er Gold Fleet group Left to right: Teams Spain, Australia, Italy. Photo by Lyndah Wells

2nd place 49er Gold Fleet, Nathan Outteridge and Iain Jensen accept their award by VP of the Grand Bahama Sailing Club, Ricky Rolle. Photo: Lyndah Wells

3rd place for the 49er Gold Fleet was ITALY's Giuseppe Angilella and Pietro Zucchetti Photo: Lyndah Wells

The 25 boat gold fleet sailed two races in 16-23 knots which increased to 20-25 for the silver fleet’s two races amidst tropical showers. The medal race sailors anticipated the heavy breeze, but unexpectedly the wind dropped to a manageable 10 knots.

1st place for 49er Silver Fleet is DENMARK's Søren and Peter Hansen. Award presented by John Lawrence. Photo: Lyndah Wells

49er Silver Fleet 2nd place winners, DENMARK's Simon Karstoft and Jonathan Bay. Award presented by John Lawrence Photo: Lyndah Wells

49ers Silver Fleet Group photo by Lyndah Wells

3rd in the 49er Silver Fleet is GREAT BRITAIN's Richard Mason and Tom Peel. Award presented by John Lawrence. Photo: Lyndah Wells

On the 29er course, French sailors Kevin Fisher and Glenn Gouron consolidated and won the Worlds by 28 points. Pepe Bettini and Fernando Gwozdz, the perpetual bridesmaid, sailed to 2nd overall with a 10-3-2 final day. Danish sailors Oscar Haumann and Taus Holtug who lead the majority of the event, tied for 3rd with Lorezo Franceschini and Riccardo Camin of Italy, losing and having to settle for 4th overall. However, Haumann and Holtug won the Highest Placing Youth Team award. Top placing women’s team was Ida Marie Baad Nielsen and Marie Thusgaard Olsen of Denmark who also won this trophy in 2009.

 

29ers Top 3 group photo by Lyndah Wells

29er Top Female Team, Ida Marie Baad Nielsen and Marie Thusgaard Olsen Photo: Lyndah Wells

 Young Bahamian sailors from the Grand Bahama Sailing Club Optimist and Laser program were able to view world class sailing up close and experience the camaraderie that international sailing affords.

 

Participants, officials, and organizers, along with supporters of the event and Grand Bahama Sailing Club Members enjoyed the awards ceremony which took place at the open theater stage at the Viva Wyndham Fortuna resort where the participants were accommodated for the regatta. Photos: Lyndah Wells

For full results, go to www.29erworlds.org and www.49erworlds.org as well as the Facebook: 49er World Championship page and Twitter. Int49er. Channel 49er, the latest video link for the 49er Class has video and interviews.

Seiko is the official sponsor of the 49er Class and title sponsor of the 2010 World Championships.