- News & Events
- No comments
2017 – 2018 World Cup Series Event Met With Torrential Rain
Although Typhoon Lan was only expected to hit Japan late on Sunday 22 October, and the inaugural event held in the country concluded before then, torrential rain passed through during the competition. But, come rain or shine, as long as there’s a bit of wind, sailing continues, and it certainly did at this event.
Global Victories
The breeze was variable at between 3 and 12 knots as the Men’s and Woman’s Skiff (49er/49erFX) and Women’s RS:X medals were determined. British sailors Stu Bithell and Dylan Fletcher achieved a narrow victory as Argentinians Maria Branz and Victoria Travascio claimed their first World Cup victory and Hei Man Chan from Hong Kong defeated Fujiko Onishi from Japan. Argentina’s Branz commented that the race was stressful because they didn’t have maths to strategize, and didn’t know what to do to secure their place except trying their best. Hong Kong’s Chan spoke about an injury to the hip which impacted on walking, and most likely affected the quality of sailing.
Non-Medal Races
In the non-medal races of the day the One Person Dinghy (Laser and Laser Radial) and the Men’s and Women’s Tow Person Dinghy (470) completed a single race each. Daichi Takayama and Kimihiko Imamura from Japan took the lead ahead of Will Ryan and Mat Belcher from Australia, and Jeremie Mion and Kevin Peponnet from France. Despite this, Ryan and Belcher hold a massive 15 point advantage over the rest of the competitors when entering into the Medal Race. Irmina Mrózek Gliszczynska and Agnieszka Skrzypulec from Poland took the Women’s fleet honours while Jaime Ryan and Carrie Smith from Australia came second and Miho Yoshioka and Ai Kondo Yoshida from Japan third. The winner of the Men’s Lazer was Hungary’s Jonatan Vadnai who beat Brazilian Tom Burtan.
A little bit of torrential rain certainly does not put a group of passionate sailors off their game!