2010 49er World Championship

Grand Bahama Island ⋅ Freeport, BS ⋅ Jan, 2 2010 - Jan 9 2010 | Coverage created by Pat Hitchins

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We kick off 2010 with the 49er Worlds held at Grand Bahama Island, Bahamas! The top sailors in the world are on hand for this awesome event! Future 49er sailors will also be in the Bahamas, competing in this year's 29er Worlds. Coverage of both events brought to you by Sailgroove.org.

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Interviews

Silver Medalists Nathan Outteridge…

Bronze Medalist Pietro And Gianfranco…

Paul Brotherton Rocks The First…

USA's Storck And Moore Make Gold…

Sailing Races

Red Race 3

Gold Race 2

Red Race 2

49er Worlds Practice Race

News & Updates

January 9, 2010

SPANIARDS RULE

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 2^nd which they held through the final results. Pietro and Gianfranco Sibello of Italy won the bronze.

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.

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 2^nd overall with a 10-3-2 final day. Danish sailors Oscar Haumann and Taus Holtug who lead the majority of the event, tied for 3^rd with Lorezo Franceschini and Riccardo Camin of Italy, losing and having to settle for 4^th 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.

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.

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.

For more information, contact Jerelyn Biehl, jerelyn@odmsail.com

January 8, 2010

BLUE BAHAMA DAY

Consistent sailing in the 49er fleet by Iker Martinez and Xabier Fernandez have given them a 22 point lead over the fleet with Manu Dyen and Stephane Christidis jumping from 5^th yesterday to 2^nd overall today in the Worlds. The British squad who yesterday held 2^nd(Pink/Peacock), 3^rd (Morrison/Rhodes) and 4^th (Brotherton/Asquith) have now moved to 6^th, 7^th and 8^th respectively with teammates Dylan Fletcher and Alain Sign having a spectacular day leapfrogging from 8^th yesterday to 3^rd at the end of the day.

Only seven minutes separated the leaders and tail-enders in the 10-14 knot day. The Race Committee has been stellar despite a postponement at a start due to an unexpected swim by the IRO. All fleets are caught up with 2 races scheduled for the final day before the medal race to be held in the afternoon.

On the 29er course, French sailors Kevin Fisher and Glenn Gouron are leading after a stellar 2^nd race leading by two thirds of a leg. They pulled ahead in the points with 3 discards factored in giving them a 23 point lead ahead of the Argentine team of Pepe Bettini and Fernando Gwozdz, who also sailed a great day. Danish sailors Oscar Haumann and Taus Holtug have sailed into third overall with Nahuel Martinez and Axel Vugdelija of Argentina just one point behind in 4^th.

A change in the weather is anticipated with stronger winds predicted.

To follow coverage, 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.

January 7, 2010

LIGHT AIR FINESSE

Light air finesse was the key today with 3 races held in the 49er World Championship. 5-8 knots of wind was all that could muster to keep the first day of the finals for the Gold fleet alive. Iker Martinez and Xabier Fernandez of Spain continued their run to the top by sailing a 1-2-10 in the 3 race day with a 19 point lead over John Pink and Rick Peacock who managed with mid-fleet finishes. The British team also holds 3^rd and 4^th place with Stevie Morrision and Ben Rhodes and Paul Brotherton and Mark Asquith following up. Brotherton & Asquith had a good day which moved them past the Sibello brothers of Italy who fell to 6^th overall. Manu Dyen and Stephane Christidis of France hold 5^th.

Racing began an hour earlier than scheduled in anticipation of the wind shutting off. After the gold fleet finished, the silver fleet was sent out but no races were held and the silver will be the first start in the morning. The race committee went swimming.

On the 29er course, French sailors Kevin Fisher and Glenn Gouron sailed a great day of 1-3-9 to move into first in front of the Danish duo Oscar Haumann and Taus Holtug who have held the spot all week. Max Fraser & David Liebenberg of the US have stayed consistent and move into 3^rd overall with Argentines Nahuel Martinez and Axel Vugdelija dropping to 4^th.

Predictions for the wind tomorrow are for mid-teens with warmer temperatures.

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

January 6, 2010
SPANIARDS REDISCOVER THE BAHAMAS

Cool temperatures did not dampen the competitive sailing in Freeport, Grand Bahama with Iker Martinez and Xabier Fernandez of Spain jumping into the lead of the 49ers. Although the mercury was low, the winds were up averaging 16-18 knots on the race course. The Spaniards reveled in the conditions posting 3-2-3 finishes with the Italian Sibello brothers stepping up to finish second in the qualifying with a 4-1-4. The British teams had a tough day with Stevie Morrision and Ben Rhodes slipping to third in the series after being caught under a black flag while John Pink and Rick Peacock received a DSQ in an altercation with Nathan Outteridge and Iain Jensen.

Conditions of shifty winds at the weather mark caused a few upsets in the days racing, mixing up the results. With the fleet now entering the finals on Thursday, the heat is on both on the water and in the expected increase in the air temperature.

On the 29er course, Danish duo Oscar Haumann and Taus Holtug continue to dominate. Four races were held on the 29er course with only a few teams able to keep all scores in the single digits. Nahuel Martinez and Axel Vugdelija of Argentina moved up two places to stand in second displacing EuroCup winners Kevin Fisher & Glenn Gouron of France. Max Fraser & David Liebenberg of the US continue their steady climb up the ranks to stand in fourth overall.

Lighter winds are predicted for the course area for Thursdays racing.

On another note 8, 500 fans were watching live reports from the 29er/49er Worlds website on Wednesday with 1200 Facebook fans and updates on Twitter. Shoreside, the spectator fleet has been increasing daily with a large crowd expected for the medal race on Saturday.

To follow coverage, 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.

January 5, 2010

BREEZY PARADISE

The heavy air sailors reveled in the Bahamian conditions today which brought strong breezes across the both niner fleets. Spaniards Iker Martinez and Xabi Fernandez had two wins today to move them up in the standings but not quite enough to match Stevie Morrison and Ben Rhodes consistency which moved them atop the leader board. Average winds of 18 knots with puffs in the high 20’ kept sailors on their toes on mach speeds around the race course. Only 2 races were held for each fleet for the day.

More of the same conditions are predicted for the final day of qualifying before heading into the finals beginning Thursday.

Sailing on the 29er course was a bit more spectacular with many of the teams having a challenge in the high winds. Oscar Haumann and Klaus Holtug of Denmark continue to lead the fleet sailing a 1-3 today, Kevin Fisher and Glen Gouron followed up with a 4, 4 to race into 2^nd.

Racing continues tomorrow in both classes with 3 races scheduled for all. Weather predictions call for similar breeze, more exciting sailing on the docket.

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

For more information, contact Jerelyn Biehl, jerelyn@odmsail.com

Jan 4, 2010

ANOTHER DAY IN PARADISE

Words of a 3-peat were already muttered to Nathan Outteridge after the first days racing who humbly replied, “I had a good day today.” Outteridge and crew Iain Jensen of Australia are returning 2-time 49er World Champions who currently hold the lead with a 3-1-1 after day 1 of the 2010 49er Worlds. Conditions in the Bahamas were perfect with winds of 8-15 knots on flat azure waters sailed inside the coral reef.

British sailors Stevie Morrison and Ben Rhodes also sailed a great first day with fellow countrymen John Pink and Rick Peacock in 3^rd overall; each team sharing a win in their 3-race day. At the beginning of the week, it looked like Pietro Sibello of Italy would be out of the competition after an equipment issue that caused his foot to be in a cast. But come race day, Pietro and brother Gianfranco were true to their number 1 ranking and were on the starting line giving the fleet their best at winning the World Championship.

Sailing on the 29er course held just east of the 49er course was quite challenging with shifting winds. Oscar Haumann and Klaus Holtug of Denmark lead the fleet with Pepe Bettini and Ferdindo Gwozdz of Argentina 1 point behind in 2^nd. Bettini remarked “we had a huge lead and next thing we’re in 6^th…It’s challenging sailing.” Gael Jaffrezic and Julien Bloyet of France round out the top 3.

Racing continues tomorrow in both classes with 3 races scheduled for all.

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

For more information, contact Jerelyn Biehl, jerelyn@odmsail.com

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