The 49er, 49erFX, Men's and Women's RS:X, Nacra 17 and Formula Kite finished their week of competition with Medal Races on the Stadium course in front of the St Kilda Sailing Precinct in a mixed day of breeze.
Last to race on Saturday, the foiling Formula Kite class had the best of the conditions, a 12-knot breeze and beautiful afternoon sunshine which produced a fantastic showcase for the class and some of the best kiteracing footage seen so far.
Oliver Bridge (GBR) took a 14-point lead into the three single-point non-discardable kite Medal Races however, in the first race things did not quite go to plan, "I wasn't at my best in the upwind and I caught something at the second windward mark and just hit the deck. Something was stuck on my foil and I couldn't get started again. It was quite annoying but I managed to catch up a couple of places."
Bridge worked his way up to fifth and a top finish in the second race would confirm him as the World Cup champion. He found his foiling feet again and won the final two races with relative ease. He concluded, "In the last two I was able to sail my own race from the front. It was difficult as there was a lot of seaweed on the course which made it hard to handle but I was able to get in front and stay there."
Florian Trittel (ESP) pushed up to second overall after a 1-2-4 scoreline. This relegated Guy Bridge (GBR), younger brother of Oliver, to third overall.
Top 10 results Formula Kite Open:
1. Oliver Bridge (GBR) - 24 pts
2. Florian Trittel (ESP) - 40 pts
3. Guy Bridge (GBR) - 41 pts
4. Florian Gruber (GER) - 43 pts
5. Martin Dolenc (CRO) - 71 pts
6. Alejandro Climent (ESP) - 92 pts
7. Sam Bullock (NZL) - 96 pts
8. Marvin Baumeister (GER) - 110 pts
9. Mani Bisschops (AUS) - 118 pts
10. Jordan Girdis (AUS) - 126 pts
Full results:
http://manage2sail.com/en-US/eventonly/bf593da8-bbe7-4a41-b482-014e216c7603/style/worldcup#!/results?classId=5e7b75f6-6d2f-4d5a-97e5-e5bd405c8055
Full World Sailing Press Release: http://www.sailing.org/news/41369.php#.WEyt6hrhBnI
Rewatch the live coverage of the Kiteboarding Medal Races here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBU8xjyN-lw&t=16652
Tracking replay of all races is available here:
https://swc2016-melbourne.sapsailing.com/gwt/Home.html?#/regatta/races/:eventId=dd2edeed-b9eb-483e-b3e9-d4761d0d58d2®attaId=SWC 2016 Melbourne - Formula Kite
Pictures of the event can be downloaded here:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/s884fq3hakmlq7a/AADB2welIRWwiUKaa95iXkaZa?dl=0
Credits: Sailing Energy / World Sailing
