| TREVEMUENDE, GERMANY-(31-7-2006) The International 470 Class knows Israel’s Levine AYAL and Amir YAM as the new 470 Junior World Champions. After eight qualifying races, the top ten out of a fleet of 121 teams from 28 countries appeared on the starting line last Sunday for the final Medal race.
The Medal race got underway at 14:00 in very light winds close to the shore of Travemuende, giving the spectators an excellent view on the race that would decide which team and country would become proudly in possession of the Junior Worlds Title.
Croatia’s FANTELA/MARENIC were the sailors with best cards, as they managed to gain a three points lead on Israel’s AYAL/YAM in the last qualifying race.
Russia’s BASALKIN/IGNATENKO made a perfect windward start, putting them into the position of an invincible lead. However, points gained during the qualifiers were still taken into account and although they finally won the race, their efforts came too late to become a place on the podium.
The right side of the course seemed to be most favourable and Israel’s AYAL/YAM and Danish girls KOCH/SOMMER took most advantage.
During the progress of the race that lasted for 23 minutes, the new Junior Worlds Title holders managed to hold a second place in the hope that at least one boat would remain between them and their rivals from Croatia. This to ensure they would win on equal points, but by the advantage of best results in the qualifiers.
And they did. Croatia’s FANTELA/MARENIC could not put Israel’s HORIN/SELA behind them, which made the second Junior team from Israel the perfect defenders for their country.
“We have spent the whole winter training and participated in all major events directly after, so this season has been very demanding so far. The fact that we won the Junior Worlds Title now feels like a great appraisal for our efforts and gives us new strength to focus on the Junior Europeans in Portugal” said AYAL
The medal for the best 470 Junior Women team was for the Danish girls KOCH/SOMMER, the only Women team that reached the Medal race.
Also Germany can be proud of it’s Junior sailors. Even as Israel, two teams reached the finals, with a promising 5th overal position for LORENZ/GEBERT and a 10th for DZEMBRITZKI/BAUMGARTEN
Further racing in the Silver, Bronze and Emerald Fleets was not possible due to a lack of wind which leaves results after race 8 unchanged.
The 470 Juniors may now already look out for a new challenge and some for revenge on short terms. In less than two weeks the combined 420 & 470 Junior Europeans will take place in Tavira, Portugal from the 11th till the 19th of August.
Results: http://www.travemuender-woche.net/showobject.phtml?La=2&object=tx|380.188.1
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