We’re glad to see World Sailing’s World Cup Series has returned this week in Medemblik, after a long period without regattas due to the pandemic restrictions.
The event in Netherlands became specially attractive to many of top sailors who are polishing their preparation for the Olympic Games starting in less than two months in Tokyo.
Despite that, Gold medals at this World Cup event were for two non-Olympic representatives, although great and well known sailors that will surely be fighting for a place on next Paris 2024 campaign.
Those were Marie Barrue from France on ILCA 6 and Lorenzo Chiavarini from England on ILCA 7.
After five days of competition and 9 completed races, Marie triumphed over strong Olympic candidates such as current Rio 2016 Gold medalist Marit Bouwmeester NED, who returned after an injury and finished fourth overall.
Mari Erdi HUN and Agata Barwisnka POL accompanied the French sailor on podium.
“This is my first medal and it’s nice to get it before the Olympics. We’ve been working hard this winter so we’re heading in the right direction. Paris 2024 is at home and I have to try to make that, of course.” declared Marie Barrue.
Lorenzo, who was Bronze on the 2020 Senior Europeans in Poland and Gold on the 2019 Senior Europeans in Portugal, dominated the ILCA 7 fleet with authority, escorted on podium by Joel Rodriguez ESP and Filip Jurisic CRO.
“It feels fantastic,” commented Chiavarini on his win. “I’m really happy with how this week has gone.”
