With 4 teams in the top 25 of the ISAF 49er rankings, Denmark looks to keep more people – especially women – in the sport of sailing by kick-starting a class that brings sailors up to the next level.  “We wish more people would continue sailing,” report the Danish 29er girls teams.  “[We wish] to create an attractive offer for those sailors who previously disappeared from sailing.  It is also to get former 29er sailors back in sailing in a class with technical, physical and tactical challenges – and the thrill of speed”.

Female skippers finished 3 out of the top 5, 1st (NED), 3rd (DEN) and 5th (NZL),  at the recent 112 boat-29er European Championships held in Spain, and the Danish 29er team was lead by the all-girls pair of Ida Marie Baad, Marie Thusgaard who finished 3^rd over all, proving that size and sex do not matter.  But where can they go from here?

Read more: Powerhouse of Olympic sailing, Denmark gets in gear for the future of women’s sailing

In the wake of the outstanding 29er European Championship, the brand new 29erXX fleet made a big splash with sailors, parents and Race officers alike.  Throughout the week sailors from all over Europe (parents too!) begged to go for a blast on the twin trapeze rig with pink sails.  The racers, exhausted after the long sea-breeze afternoons, seemed to have an endless amount of energy for a post-race cruise on the 29erXX.  With expert level racing in the 112-boat championship, the fleet proved itself ready and eager for the next big thing in sailing.

Six countries from two continents participated in the first 29erXX European Championship sponsored by Seiko.  The fleet finished 10 races with a day each of medium, light and HOLD-ON! big breeze.  Zipping around by zodiac was ISAF Vice President Teresa Lara who loved watching the brilliant Seiko kites pop around the windward mark.  Catching the contagious enthusiasm of the sailors, Lara gave a warm congratulations at the closing ceremony and a best of luck to the future of the fleet before handing out the awards.

Not immune to the festive energy was CEO of Club Vela La Ballena Alegre who in full flouro neoprene and helmet

Read more: Ready for NeXXt Time

Kingston, On.
Thursday, July 15, 2010

For Immediate Release:

ODYSSEY TIME AGREES TO SPONSOR 49ER CLASS CANADIAN CHAMPIONSHIP AND 29ERXX NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS

Odyssey Time Inc. and Seiko Canada have agreed to sponsor the 2010 49er Canadian Championship and the concurrent 2010 29erXX North American Championship. This partnership with the local North American fleet builds on a running three year relationship between Seiko and the International 49er and 29erXX Classes. Since 2007, Seiko has been the official watch partner of the International 49er Class. In 2008 Seiko joined forces with the new and growing 29erXX class for women.

Read more: Odyssey Time to Sponsor 29erXX North American Championship

Registration for Sail Amerstam Downhill Skiff Cross now open!

Fast and furious slalom racing in the middle of Amsterdam during the Netherlands biggest sailing festival.  Thousands of people will be able to watch top teams in the 29erXX fly around the marks in the 1 on 1 racing.

Cash prize for the winners of the knock-out challenge.

Come Sail Amsterdam - or get to the grand-stands early to catch the show!     Click HERE to register.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photos by Yann Audic
Final Results

29erXX sailors tested the first downhill skiff cross during this morning's postponement. The course is short and features tight jibing for two boats at a time. The racing was exciting for both the sailors and spectators. Part-way through the breeze filled and the day's racing for the European Championship began. The wind and wave picked up quickly and the racers

Read more: 29erXX Seiko European Championship 2010 - Day 3 Racing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photos by Yann Audic

A tricky day on the water at the Club Vela La Ballena Alegre with a longtime filling sea-breeze.  Two races got off after a brief postponement, with lighter winds and heavy chop.  The conditions were challenging and there were

Read more: 29erXX Seiko European Championship 2010 - Day 2 Racing

photos by Yann Audic available here
While it was 40 degrees in Barcelona, a gorgeous 8-15 knots of warm sea breeze made for perfect racing on the Costa Brava here at Ballena Alegre.  The fleet completed 4 35-minute races, and despite a lot of first-time trappers, the over-all boat-handling was top-notch.

Read more: 29erXX Seiko European Championship 2010 - Day 1 Racing

The strong La Tramontana wind postponed the Downhill Skiff Cross, and all 25 teams signed up were glad to catch a few more ZZZ's in the wake of the 29er European Championship final fiesta.  By launching time, the Race Committee had all the slalom marks in place ready to go and the wind went round 180 degrees and died... NOOO!

But eager sailors, and even more eager regatta organizers (the entire RC and the VP of 29er Christian Kramer) hit the hot beach with harnesses and climbed into zodiacs for some ride-sharing.  Not to be outdone was Manuel the CEO of Club Vela La Ballena Alegre who in full flouro neoprene and helmet hit the twin wires with 29er President Jen Morgan Glass at his side for a tight reach.

At 63, the retired Flying Dutchman Olympic campaigner proved the 29erXX is not just for kids.

2010 Volvo ISAF Youth World sailors Andrea Savio and Alessandro Savio of Italy, took a spin when the sea breeze kicked in and pulled a series of hot gybes deciding two wires are definitely better than one.

Back at the hot boat park the fleet rigged and Seiko'd up the sails getting ready for the next day's racing.  Everyone was so fired up about the Downhill Skiff Cross, the fleet will "go downhill" later in the week.

Everyone send good vibes for sweet breeze!

Photos by Yann Audic Photography - www.yannaudic.com
Click the photo on the Documentary to see the whole gallery

 

 

 

 

June 5-6 2010 was the 2nd 29erXX "Hangtime" training weekend in Coronado, California. 5 29erXXs were in attendance including both 29erXX vetrans and many new to the 29erXX.

Stacy Childers took excellent photos of the weekend which can be found here.

Thanks to 470 Olympian Brady Sih for putting together the group's lessons and tips from the weekend in the form of a Sailing and Tuning Guide for the 29erXX.