Lindqvist claims X-35 Worlds

This year's championship was held up in Malmo

The X-35 Worlds where held in Malmo, Sweden, hosted by the Swedish class association and run by the Whyshore an organization dedicated to promoting yachting in Sweden.

20 boats entered representing six countries to sail a ten race series.

Following the rigorous measurement and weighing day, the racing started with a practice race set just off the sea wall to allow viewing by the sponsors and local sailors.

As with all X-35 events, the courses were windward-leeward with a spreader mark at the windward end and a gate to leeward.

After a couple of general recalls the fleet got to grips with racing and the early leaders included the two Audi-sponsored from boats Finland, Audi powered by Samsung Ultra and Audi powered by Samsung E-tron, sailed buy Samuli Leisti and Teemu Kekkonen respectively, Firefly, a local Swedish boat sailed by Johan Lindell and the visiting British boat Kiss, sailed by David Pinner.

After a hard fought few laps, the practice race superstitions got the better of the Audi boats leaving Kiss to take it.

Day 1 of the real racing began in 10 knot of wind. The majority of the fleet chose to sail inshore to try hook into the stronger shore-based breeze. Team North Sails sportswear (sailed by Mikeal Linqvist) took full advantage of her crew's local knowledge and recorded the first victory of the championship followed in by Team Swegon (Soren Junker) and Audi Ultra in third. As with almost every race the next 15 boats finished within 150m of the winners giving amazingly competitive and exciting racing to all the crews.

The remaining two races of the day gave North sales their second victory of the championship with Audi Ultra scoring a first and a second and their team mate Audi E-tron squeezing in a second alongside two other mediocre results.

Day 2 brought similar conditions with sunshine and perhaps a little more breeze. The first race was dominated from start to finish by Kiss. After leading around the first mark she  continued to pull away eventually winning by over 100m from the Swedish Volkswagen sailing team (Klabbe Nylof) and Firefly.

Races 4 and 5 where won by Northsails sports wear and Firefly leaving Northsails sports wear first overall after six races with Audi Ultra second, and Firefly third.

Day 3 brought a forecast of changeable winds as a new front approached. Racing commenced in a steady 12 knots and was well won by the Swedish boat Nautiska Racing (Douglas Eklund) from Swegon and Northsails.

The second race of the day was unfortunately abandoned on the second lap with Kiss leading to the gate, when the wind died and re-appeared 180° from its original direction. The forecast of dramatic wind shifts lead to the racing being abandoned for the rest of the day.

The final days racing was tabled to give two races in a fresh 23 knot breeze with regular showers. The stronger winds brought a new mix of boats to the front of the fleet as some crews struggled to find top gear.

Overall North sails sports wear's early dominance could not knock her off top spot and Mikael Lindqvist and his crew were crowned worthy World champions for 2013.

Next year its back to Italy for the World championships in San Remo, followed by the Copa del Rey in Palma later in the year.

Results

1. Northsails Sports wear Mikael Lindqvist 24 Pts
2. Audi X Sail Racing Ultra Teemu Kekkonen 30 Pts3
3. Firefly Johan Lindell 41 Pts

Top British boat: 7th Kiss David Pinner 49 Pts