Dun Laoghaire (IRELAND) – 11 August 2021
Day 3 of the ILCA4 Youth World Championships and more changes at the top of the leader board in the boy’s division as we reach the mid-way stage. Alexandros Eleftheriadis (GRE) clinched the overnight podium with an impressive 1, 6 in the todays racing. Less than 10 points separates the top three sailors and with conditions forecast to strengthen tomorrow, sailors will be managing risk vs reward and how best to take advantage of the shifty conditions on Dublin Bay.
Boys Overall: 1st Alexandros Eleftheriadis (GRE) 17pts, 2nd Martins Atilla (LAT) 21pts, 3rd Antonio López Martínez (ESP) 26pts, 4thJoan Ravie (ESP) 32pts, 5th Omer Vered Vilenchikm (ISR) 35pts.
Petra Marednic (CRO) has a tight hold on top spot in the girl’s divisions. Petra continues to steal the show with another two first place finishes. She ends the qualifying series with 7 points form 5 scoring races. As impressive as this is, Emma Mattivi (ITA) is hot on Petras heels and is on 12 points with Claudia Adán Lledó (ESP) holding on close behind in 3rd with 15points.
Girls Overall: 1st Petra Marednic (CRO) 7pts, 2nd Emma Mattivi (ITA) 12pts, 3rd Claudia Adán Lledó (ESP) 15pts, 4th Gaia Bolzonella (ITA) 23pts, 5th Roos Wind (NED) 25pts.
We took some time after today’s racing to catch-up with two of Spain’s top youth sailors who are both vying for podium finishes at this ILCA4 World Championships. Antonio López Martínez (17yrs) & Joan Ravie (16yrs) are both based near Alicante but race with different clubs in the Mediterranean.
Q) Why do you like the sport of sailing?
Antonio – I just really love the sport, sailing is just a part of me and always clears my mind.
Joan – Sailing competitively allows me time away from my studies and I just live to compete.
Q) What is the best part about competing here in Ireland?
Antonio – There is always good wind in Ireland and I really love the sailing waters here.
Joan – It is always nice to see a new country and visiting Ireland has been great fun.
Q) Who is your sailing hero?
Joan – Pavlos Kontides, Cypriot Olympic Laser Silver Medallist and 2-time Laser World Champion.
Antonio – Robert Scheidt, Brazialin five-time Olympic Laser Sailor 9-time Laser World Champion.
Q) What are your plans as we move from the qualifying series into the final series.
Joan – I will push for consistency, sail a safe strategy and look to remain in contention to the end.
Antonio – The regatta really starts now, and I need to refocus my mind on the task of sailing fast.