We care about your data, and we'd love to use cookies to make your experience better.Cookie settingsGreat, I love cookies!
Privacy & Cookies Policy
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are as essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
It’s Markus Wieser’s 4th Gold Cup…..
It was a fantastic final day in Medemblik for the 86 International Dragon’s competing on the glorious Isslemere, in a wind of around 10 to 12 kts from the North and a cloudless day. The most perfect sailing conditions……
The PRO Rob Hoogstra set another excellent course with a 2.6 mile upwind leg and managed to get the fleet underway at the second attempt. With Markus holding a 13pt lead over the second place GBR team of Lawrie Smith, Tim Tavinor and Joost Houweling it was a do or die decision for the former world champion of which way to go… Did he stay with Markus and hope to put more than 13 boats between them, in order to win the title. Or did they elect to split tacks and go the opposite direction off the line, to see if that gave the necessary “division” between the two boats….
Lawrie told me ” There was no point going the same way as Markus, as he is sailing too well to not be in the leading pack, so we opted to gamble with the opposite side. We have been 2nd before (in Kinsale 2012), so we went for Gold”. Unfortunately, it did not pay off and so Lawrie and his team dropped to 7th overall, still a very respectable position. Meanwhile one of the challengers NED 412 helmed by Pieter Heerma, crewed by Theis Palm and Claus Olesen were having another brilliant race and followed up the previous day’s victory with a 2nd place in the final race, which promoted this excellent team into the runner’s up spot overall… a most pleasing result.
In 3rd place overall was Markus fellow team mate, UAE 8 sailed by Yvgeni Braslavets, crewed by Igor Sidorov and Sergiy Timokhov who had put in some really consistent scores over the 6 race, non discard, series…..
In the Corinthian Division, GBR 775 helmed by the legendary Poul Richard Hoj-Jensen took the title and also finished a fantastic 6th place overall in the main event.. The “Man” could have even won the event had he not slipped up at the windward mark in one of the later races.. At the tender age of 70 he still remains probably the most talented Dragon Sailor the World has ever seen.
Another fantastic photo from Professional Ricardo Pinto, Portugal…
In closing I would like to thank the Volunteers and many helpers of both the Hollandia and Muiden Yacht Clubs for their superb effort in running this fantastic event. All the main and small sponsors, that make such an GOLD CUP possible, but in particular BMW…. The PRO Rob Hoogstra and his fellow International Race Officers, set perfect courses and well balanced starting lines. I would truly recommend Medemblik for any major sailing event, this is a venue that offers all round sailing and social opportunities on a perfect “fresh” water arena ……
Congratulations Markus you Sergey and Georgii are “Higher, Faster, Longer” 🙂
Stavros. (GER 1102).