Sam MEECH wins the laser class, may 24th, Delta Lloyd Regatta 2014 (20/24 May 2014). Medemblik - the Netherlands. Photo / File.
New Zealand's Laser sailors made it a double podium finish at the Delta Lloyd regatta in the Netherlands overnight, including gold to young Kiwi Sam Meech.
Meech produced his best result of 2014 with a stunning final day performance in Medemblik, while Mike Bullot picked up a bronze medal in
his first regatta back following a lengthy break from Laser campaigning. Lying second overall going into the final medal race, Meech had a seven point gap to close on Dutch sailor Nicholas Heiner who led the class throughout the regatta only to stumble at the final hurdle.
"I knew it was going to be a really tough ask, given how well Nick was sailing all week, so I hoped I'd get an opportunity. There were a lot of really good guys quite close behind me as well, so I knew I had to keep a gap on them as well. I hoped I'd have the chance to send Nick the wrong way and I took it," said Meech.
"My experience here this year was a lot better than last year. The regatta is fantastically run. And the race management is awesome, so I'm really happy with my Delta Lloyd experience."
Fellow Kiwi Bullot also produced a strong medal race, jumping from fifth in the standings heading into the final day to secure the bronze. With Thomas Saunders fifth and Andy Maloney sixth, New Zealand featured strongly in the Laser class securing four of the top six placings in the fleet which included 43 sailors.
