Muscat, Oman – An exciting second day at the 2021 ILCA 6 World Championships more than made up for yesterday’s lack of wind, as the fleet finally made their way out onto the water at Barceló Resort Mussanah in about 6–8 knots. Sailors in the Women’s division all found racing difficult in blustery conditions, leading to inconsistency in the placings for each race, and multiple general recalls.
In the men’s fleet, Oman’s Almoutasim Al Farsi holds a narrow lead after two wins and a second place after the first three races. Nik Pletikos of Slovenia is three points behind in second after winning the opening race and finishing second in the third race. AbdulMalik Al Hinai of Oman is currently in third, just two points behind Pletikos. Estonia’s Karel Ratnik and Umut Eyriparmark of Turkey are fourth and fifth respectively and remain close to the leaders after Day 2.
In the women’s fleet, Julia Büsselberg of Germany, winner of the 2021 ILCA Europa Cup in Germany earlier this year, leads the way after recovering from a difficult first race to claim second in the next race and end the day with a win. Vasileia Karachaliou of Greece sits in second, after finishing 18th in the first race, she recovered in the following two races. Just a half a point behind Karachaliou, Finland’s Monika Mikkola sits in third after starting strong, finishing second in the first race before slipping into 21st in the second, then recovering well in the final race of the day. Fourth placed, just one point behind, is Denmark’s Anne-Marie Rindom and Louise Cervera of France sits in fifth in the congested fleet.
Hamed Al Yahmadi, ILCA 6 World Championship project manager, said, “The competition delivered today. Wind was strong today, perfect for high-speed sailing and great manoeuvrability. We saw the lead change several times in both men’s and women’s races, an indicator of the conditions and quality of the competitors. The championship is finely poised and we will see what tomorrow brings. If the quality is as high as today, we are set for a superb day of sailing.”
Almoutasim Al Farsi, current leader of the men’s category, said, “In the three races today I won two and also finished second in the first race of the day. It was a difficult start with quick sailors throughout the fleet, but we are all relieved to be able to sail after yesterday. I am in a good position after today’s races and will try my best to maintain this form tomorrow.”
2020 Olympic Champion, Anne-Marie Rindom of Denmark, said, “Today we had three races to make up for yesterday and the conditions were tricky. It was very hard to maintain consistency and remain at the top but I had a good day. My schedule since the Olympics has been very hectic, I had a break but I am back in the Laser now and it’s good to be back sailing in Oman.”
The action continues tomorrow with three more races scheduled in each category. The event is supported by national carrier Oman Air, OQ and the Barceló Mussanah Resort as official partners, and Be’ah as environmental supporter. The National Mineral Water Company Salsabeel Water provided all essential water supplies for the event while the Royal Navy of Oman provided medical support throughout.
For more information and full results, see here.
ILCA 6 Women’s
- Julia Büsselberg (GER) – 17 pts
- Vasileia Karachaliou (GRE) – 29.5 pts
- Monika Mikkola (FIN) – 30 pts
- Anne-Marie Rindom (DEN) – 31 pts
- Louise Cervera (FRA) – 38 pts
ILCA 6 Men’s
- ALMuatasim Al Farsi (OMA) – 4 pts
- Nik Pletikos (SLO) – 7 pts
- AbdulMalik Al Hinai (OMA) – 9 pts
- Karel Ratnik (EST) – 14 pts
- Umut Eyriparmak (TUR) – 16 pts