The final day of the 2013 SEIKO 49er & 49erFX worlds in Marseille started dramatically with a huge thunderstorm meaning the final races of the repêchage weren’t sailed today. A couple of hours later than expected the Petit Finalists were sent out to race. Due to the weather and timing schedule, the planned 3 races were reduced to 1, meaning it was all on for those looking to book their place in the final 10 today.
In the FX fleet, the Australian pair of Price and Elks sailed well to secure their place in the final 10, with the British pairing of Pink & Wheeler sailing through to the boys final.
The final series was made up of 3 theatre style races, short races, ensuring lots of boat on boat action and extremely close, tight racing. The Kiwi pair of Maloney & Meech sailed well to secure the inaugural 49erFX World Championship title, followed by Grael & Kunze with the French in 3rd place.
The 49er fleet saw snakes and ladders racing in the final series, but Burling & Tuke sailed well to secure their first World Championships. The younger Kiwi team of Hansen & Porebski sailed well to secure second. The French pair of Dyen & Christidis sailed well to overtake the British team of Fletcher & Sign who sailed extremely well in the qualifying series, but couldn’t use the new format to their advantage in the latter part of the week. Outteridge & Jensen weren’t able to carry on their form from yesterday, and managed to climb to 5th place (no mean feat).
Magic Marine Starting Competition
There is no doubt who the best starters of the week were, the French pairing of Steyaert & Bossard were clearly the most effective starters, regularly judging the line, getting a lane and securing top 5 windward mark roundings.
The SEIKO King & Queen of Downwind Competition
Showing formidable speed in the second half of the week was the French team of Dyen & Christidis, jumping them up the tables to secure a space on the podium! Their cumulative time from the final stages of the event also crowned them Kings of the downwind.
In the girls fleet, the Danish pairing of Olsen & Nielsen sailed fast downwind consistently t
his week, meaning they were crowned the overall Queens of Downwind.
Both teams were awarded SEIKO watches but most importantly can go home knowing that they were the fastest teams downwind this week.
It’s been a busy week here in Marseille with winds ranging from 2 knots to 25, some excellent racing and weather. Next up in the 49er International calendar is the ISAF World Cup in Melbourne, where we hope to see racing which is just as exciting, close and enjoyable to watch.
Stay classy Marseille.
