2024 29er World Championships in Sailing Aarhus, Day 4

by International 29er Class 8 August 04:52 UTC
1-9 August 2024

No room for error: Participants fight for the top spots on the first day of the finals

Another day of sunshine and glorious weather with 7-11 knots of wind on the first day of the final races in Aarhus Bay, where the world’s best sailors put on a spectacular show for the spectators. Racing was scheduled for 11am sharp and all fleets completed the scheduled three races and made it back to shore before the rain set in in the afternoon.

Sailors described the conditions on the race course as light winds with a tricky wave pattern upwind that offers some fun downwind surfing opportunities. Starting and finding space was key to a good performance today. The close racing has definitely reached a new level with the podium places almost within reach.

Alex Demurtas and Giovanni Santi from Italy defended their overall lead by four points ahead of the mixed team Ewa Lewandowska and Krzysztof Królik from Poland. The French men’s teams Jocelyn Le Goff/Jules Vidor and Nolann Huet Des Aunay/Titouan Gresset are proving to be a force to be reckoned with in the Danish conditions, taking third and fourth place overall (second and third place in the men’s category).

Emily Polson and Tiffany Mak of Hong Kong, China, maintain their lead in the women’s fleet and are in 7th place overall – ahead of Boróka Fehér and Szonja Fehér of Hungary, who moved up to the second women’s team and 10th place overall after a consistent day of racing. Alicja Tutkowska and Alicja Dampc of Poland are the third best women and are just four points behind in 13th place overall, closely pursued by Spanish 2022 European Champions Sara and Isabel Momplet Baixauli.

With up to four races scheduled on the penultimate day of the championship and everything still to play for, this high-performance fleet cannot afford to make any mistakes.

When asked “Why sail 29ers?” the overwhelming answer from all sailors is “the speed and the joy!” and walking around the boat park it is clear that while the competition on the water is intense and world class, the respect between competitors and the friendships and fun behind the scenes are what sets this youth class apart. Whatever happens on the race course is quickly forgotten on the shore as close rivals become good friends enjoying every moment of this record-breaking regatta hosted by Sailing Aarhus, Denmark.

For more information visit 29erworlds.org