A very long day in Marseille

13/07/2023

At the end of an interminable wait and a single race launched at the very end of Wednesday afternoon at the Test Event in Marseille, the rankings have changed significantly. Emma Wilson is still in the lead in the women's race, along with Italian Nicolo Renna...
The weather forecast on Wednesday for the 2nd day of the Test Event in Marseille is not very optimistic, with a southerly current forecast at around 10 knots. As many of the competitors had prepared for, a very long wait began, with the possible start of the races at 2pm, postponed until 4pm, before the athletes finally took to the water shortly before 5.30pm!

On a Slalom course similar to the previous day, but this time around the Calanques, off the southern beaches of Marseille, the women were the first to start. With winds between 8 and 10 knots, the start was even more important than on day one and pumping was the order of the day or risk losing precious places. China's Xianting Huang was very good at pumping and won ahead of France's Lucie Belbeoch and Israel's Sharon Kantor. The current leader, England's Emma Wilson, saved the day with an 8th place.

Always very skilful in light winds, the Chinese delegation also stood out with Bi Kun's victory in the men's race ahead of New Zealand's Josh Armit and Australia's Grae Morris. After a fine duel the day before, Nicolas Goyard, in 21st place, and Nicolo Renna, 15th, were struggling, with the Italian taking advantage to move into the lead. With the conditions still too light, the race directors finally decided to call it a day...
Thursday is the 3rd day of this Test Event, before Friday's rest day, and with the promise of a more established wind, which should enable the Marathon to be launched if conditions allow.

Women's iQFOil rankings after 5 races
1/ Emma Wilson (GBR) 6 points
2/ Xianting Huang (CHN) 15 points
3/ Veerle Ten Have (NZL) 16 points
4/ Sara Wennekes (NED) 16 points
5/ Giorgia Speciale (ITA) 18 points
6/ Sharon Kantor (ISR) 18 points
7/ Pilar Gonzalez de la Madrid Trueba (ESP) 19 points
8/ Kwan Ching Ma (HKG) 33 points
9/ Lucie Belbeoch (FRA) 39 points
10/ Mariana Aguilar Chavez (MEX) 39 points

Men's iQFOil rankings after 5 races
1/ Nicolo Renna (ITA) 15 points
2/ Nicolas Goyard (FRA) 16 points
3/ Nacho Baltasar Summers (ESP) 21 points
4/ Noah Lyons (USA) 21 points
5/ Grae Morris (AUS) 25 points
6/ Leonidas Tsortanidis (GRE) 25 points
7/ Elia Colombo (SUI) 35 points
8/ Pawel Tarnowski (POL) 36 points
9/ Ching Yin Cheng (HKG) 37 points
10/ Huig-Jan Tak (NED) 26 points

Source: World Sailing
Photos: World Sailing