Big start of the Hempel World Cup at Allianz Regatta

This first start of the Hempel World Cup Series has concluded with the Allianz Regatta. Gold, silver and bronze World Cup medals have been awarded in the ILCA 6, ILCA 7, Men’s and Women’s RS:X and the Nacra 17 classes. 

After five days of racing, Marie Barrue (FRA) and Lorenzo Chiavarini (GBR) have won the gold in the ILCA 6 and ILCA 7 classes. Meanwhile, Piotr Myszka (POL) and Marta Maggetti (ITA) won the Men’s and Women’s RS:X and Laila van der Meer and Bjarne Bower (NED) led the podium in the Nacra 17. 

The Allianz Regatta

The 2021 Hempel World Cup Series kicked off at the Allianz Regatta in Medemblik, The Netherlands on June 2nd 2021. This is the first Hempel Cup Series since the outbreak of the COVID-19 global pandemic. 

A total of 350 sailors from 47 countries participate across eight Olympic classes. From Wednesday 2nd to Sunday 6th we’ve seen the ILCA 6, ILCA 7, Men’s and Women’s RS:X and the Nacra 17 fleets take to the water. 

From Wednesday 9th to Sunday 13th we will see the 49er, 49erFX and Finn categories. The Men’s and Women’s 470 were cancelled due to lack of participants. 

Best conditions during the final day

Medemblik had the best for last on the final day of this first stage of the Hempel World Cup Series. With 15-16 knots of consistent breeze and plenty of waves, rivals competed under the clear blue Dutch sky. 

“Today the weather was perfect,” said Myszka. “We had 15-16 knots and I really like these conditions. From the beginning I was leading Mattia as I was only fighting him. We were match racing and I controlled him from the beginning.” 

Poland’s Piotr Myszka and Italy’s Mattia Camboni began with a points gap in the Men’s RS:X fleet ahead of the Medal Race. The regatta started with some match racing tactics on the race track, however Myszka soon gained the advantage and clinched gold. Camboni finished sixth and won second place. In third place, Angel Granda Roque (ESP) completed the podium. 

Arduous competition in the Women’s RS:X Fleet

In the Women’s division of the RS:X Fleet of the Hempel World Cup Series Allianz Regatta, Marta Maggetti (ITA) and Katy Spychakov (ISR) fought all week for the top spot. Battle continued during the ocean race that would decide the Medal Race. 

Maggetti remained consistent and finished second to Spychakov’s third. “I decided to go alone because I didn't feel so good in planing conditions with this gear. I focused on my planing and I did a good tack on the upwind and I was able to finish second,” said Marta Maggetti upon earning her gold. 

Dutch sailor Lilian de Geus took the bronze place. This competition has proved to be good preparation for the Olympic Games for sailors in the Men’s and Women’s RS:X division. 

The comfortable ILCA 7 and ILCA 6

Lorenzo Chiavarini (GBR) had to finish ninth or better to confirm the gold, and he was able to come in seventh during the last day of competition. His nearest rival was the Croatian skipper Filip Jurisic who at the end finished third.

Jurisic finished fourth, but this was not enough for the silver as Joel Rodriguez (ESP) did better and clinched the silver medal. 

Meanwhile in the ILCA 6 Marie Barrue (FRA) also went in a comfortable position as she had to finish seventh or better. Her main rival, Ekaterina Zyuzina (RUS), crossed the start line early and received a full 22 points from the race. 

Barrue was not selected to represent France at Tokyo 2020 but her victory demonstrates she can excel to the highest level. She is working towards Paris 2024 but also will support her training group who heads to Tokyo. 

The Nacra 17 division at the Allianz Regatta

Laila van der Meer and Bjarne Bouwer (NED) won the gold medal in the Nacra 17. “This was our first World Cup and a first win,” said der Meer. 

Silver and bronze was decided during the Medal Race with Jesse Lindstaädt and Jill Paland (GER) and Andrea Spagnolli and Alice Cialfi (ITA) going head to head. The Germans came in second and the Italians won the bronze. 

Medemblik will welcome the 49er and the 49erFX fleets on Wednesday 9th of June through to Sunday 13 June.