Known for its cold weather sailing, Medemblik in the Netherlands is the current host nation for the fifth ISAF sailing world cup event, The Delta Lloyd Regatta.
Queensland Sailing Team members Brendan Casey, Ashley Stoddard, Johanna Sterling and Ryan Palk have travelled from sunny warm Queensland to take part in one of the world’s best Olympic sailing regattas.
The first Olympic sailing regatta in Medemblik took place in 1985, and through the years became one of world’s best Olympic sailing regattas with over 1,100 participants from more than 50 countries regularly attending. In 2011, the Delta Lloyd Regatta is the fifth of seven regattas in the third edition of the ISAF Sailing World Cup.
The first day of the regatta has pushed athletes to their physical and mental limits, and the freezing water and strong 20 – 30knot nor – Easter punished those who weren’t prepared.
Queensland sailors proved their worth and rose to the occasion in the second day when Ryan Palk Australia Sailing Team and Laser standard member bumped up to 8th overall. ” …It was a good day, hard day for alot of people, but i had a good one so cant complain” said Palk
With some outstanding racing in the lighter breeze, Palk fought passed Canadian competitor David Wright to be trailing by a single point behind Argentinean Julio Alsogaray. Palk’s racing day highlight was a win in the first race of the day.
“First race was interesting, I had a good game plan and followed it through the race kept it simple and came out with the win, which was nice”
The race win was a great boost in confidence for the young athlete, who under the coaching of Adrian Finglas and Michael Blackburn, has progressed immensely as a world class sailor.
” Ive been very consistent so far in all my events and I want to finish on the podium here in Medemblik” Palk commented.
In the Finn class, Queensland Sailing Team member Brendan Casey sits in ninth overall. Casey has had some outstanding results, fighting for a sixth, fourth and a third out of the four races in the first two days.
The regatta continues over the next week and with a mixed prediction of conditions, racing will be difficult for every participant. For Palk and Casey maintaining their position within the top ten is critical.
Andrew Gough