June 14th, 2007
2007 RS:X EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS
PRZEMYSLAW MIARCZYNSKI (POL) AND MARINA ALBAUA (ESP) CROWNED EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS
Tight racing in the medal races today!
Limassol, Cyprus- There was all to play for in the medal races today. They were tough to watch and even tougher for the athletes. This was a straight fight for podium places in both the men’s and women’s 10 man starts. First off were the men at 1000hrs with around ten knots of shifty breeze in the early stages of establishing itself. There was huge drama as a result!
Nicolas Le Gal (FRA), was hosed at the start so was forced to tack off on port with no other place to go. He and Ivan Pastor (ESP) fought it out to the lay line. The other eight went out on starboard. Le Gal was super nervous about taking a lone flier. This was an all or bust strategy. This time it worked. He tacked back and crossed the bows of the whole fleet. Sweet joy, he made it!
Meanwhile, Przemyslaw Miarczynski (POL), had a clear strategy. He just had to stay within 6 positions of Piotr Myszka (POL) to take the title. Le Gal was leading at the top mark. Piotr was in 8th with Pont just behind in 9th. Piotr blasted downwind, passing one board and on the next upwind he climbed three more places. Pont was making no progress, still stuck in 9th overall, he saw Piotr in 4th and Le Gal leading. He was safe as long as he could stay in front of 10th place man Nikos Kaklamanakis (GRE). Pont clamped a ‘close cover’ on him and saved the day by the smallest of margins. Piotr takes 2nd overall and Le Gal takes the bronze.
Now off to the women’s Medal race, and Marina Alabau (ESP), was determined to stay in front of her nemesis Alessandra Sensini (ITA). Marina hit the start accelerating fast and chose the right-hand side. At the top mark, she was in second place, just behind Blanca Manchon (ESP), with Sensini languishing in 9th. Marina stormed downwind overtaking Blanca in the process to take the win and in so doing has vanquished the demons and secured her first RS:X European title. Now that’s racing!
Much fanfare was awaiting the new 2007 European Champions on the beach and after finally working thru the crowd to speak with winner Marina Alabau said “I was happy with my speed, and I knew that with a good start, I could win. This championship was very difficult for me, because my camber broke in my sail yesterday. This almost forced me to miss the last race of the day. I am now very happy and relieved it’s over!” Not only did she win, but she proved that she could step it up when the pressure is red hot. She’ll be one to watch in the world championship in Cascais next month.
Men’s 2007 European Champion, Przemyslaw Miarczynski (POL), is no stranger to the top step on the podium, having won the European title in 2001, and the world title in 2003. His brilliant tactics and good speed made him the most consistent racer in the championship. He said “Coming off the back of the Polish National Championships a few weeks ago, I had renewed confidence in my light air abilities. I can now cut it in all conditions and am hungry for a win at the World Championship”.
The rest of the Gold Fleet raced after lunch as did the remainder of the women’s fleet followed, after a postponement, by two races for the silver fleet in perfect 15 knot planning conditions.
The Cyprus Yachting Association have done a great job. Many thanks to all the officials and volunteers who made this championship possible.
A very late start and some big changes on the leader board!
Limassol, Cyprus- A Long day here in Cyprus! Competitors were held on the beach for seven hours until the evening breeze kicked in at 6-10 knots. A puff here; a puff there; the wind speed never really steadied but the direction was stable. Racing into the sunset, this was the last chance to make the top 10 and therefore qualify for the medal races tomorrow. The key was to maintain consistency.
The women were the first to start at 1800hrs. Alessandra Sensini (ITA) was on a charge, as predicted, finishing 3rd in race 8 and 1st in race 9 (2nd race of the day). This is a competitor that the current overall leader, Marina Alabau (ESP), cannot ignore. She must be dreading a repeat of the world title medal race last year when Alessandra snatched the championship from her on the finishing line. There are only 4 points in it now so she will have to have nerves of steel tomorrow!
Also on the way up, is Blanca Manchon (ESP) who is just 4 points behind Barbara Kendall (NZL) who, remember, has run out of discards so could not drop her 12th place in the 2nd race of the day. Look forward to a thrilling final day with a double points scoring medal race in prospect. In theory, Blanca could take it but my money is on Alessandra to grab the 2007 European title.
While over in the men’s fleet, things were not going all Przemyslaw Miarczynski (POL) way, in fact, quite the reverse. Finishing 13th in race 9 (first of the day) he had fought back from deep in the pack. It’ll be his discard. PIOTR MYSZKA (POL), on the other hand, sailed two blinders, taking two 3rds, and jumping to 2nd overall. He now trails Pont by 14 points. Nicolas Le Gal (FRA) -5th and a 1st- is only 5 points off the pace in 3rd overall with Fabian Heidegger (ITA) in 4th two points behind. SHAHAR ZUBARI (ISR) claimed his place in the medal race, by scoring a 1st and 2nd and putting him in 8th overall. Stand by for a great fight for the minor places on the podium.
The first medal race is scheduled for 1000hrs tomorrow with the rest of the fleets scheduled for 1200hrs.
For the latest updates from the European Championships at www.rsxclass.com/europeans.html
June 12th, 2007
2007 RS:X EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS DAY FOUR MIARCZYNSKI ACCELERATING AWAY
2 light air races for the men and then the women’s fleet gets hit with a black flag!
Limassol, Cyprus- The fleets had a rest day yesterday so were eager to get under way today. However, the wind seemed strangely reluctant. It maxed out at 8 knots but generally could only manage 5 or 6. Qingdao here we come!
The Gold fleet got going at 1100hrs and staid in a tight knot. This was going to be a test of mental agility, tactics, technique and fitness. It was crunch time for the heavier sailors too. Pont, as Przemyslaw Miarczynski (POL) is known, was by no means the lightest guy out there, never is, and so was generally expected to suffer in these conditions. He flies in a breeze, but someone must have flicked a switch in his brain, it seems, because he racked up a 3rd in the first race then topped that by winning the second. He’s now the clear leader overall!
Fabian Heidegger (ITA), 2nd overall, had a better first race finishing second, but blew the second which has cost him valuable points. He has to keep the pressure on, if his dream of stepping onto the podium is to stay alive. PIOTR MYSZKA (POL), now in 3rd overall, was consistent taking an 8th in the first race, and then a 2nd. But 4th place man, Joao Rodrigues (POR) has it all to play for with only 9 points separating him from 2nd place man Fabian.
Last out was the women’s fleet who had a few problems today. Unable to get away after three postponements within the last minute of the sequence, they made their fourth attempt under a black flag. Eight competitors were over at the start which was subject to a ‘general’ anyway. They now have to sit out this 7th race. Barbara Kendal (NZL) was one of the BFD unfortunates so she’ll discard this nightmare score but this still leaves her with little room to maneuver.
By this time, the breeze had died so the fleet was sent ashore where they waited under an AP for an hour. The wind came back at a steady six knots so out they went to try again. Success! Faustine Merret (FRA) took the win reveling the in the new breeze and keen to take full advantage of the smaller fleet. She went hard left off the start, blowing away second place Marina Albau (ESP) whose consistency is starting to build a nice cushion. Alessandra Sensini (ITA) has taken a step up today to take 2nd overall and looks set to make a late charge.
The women and Gold Fleet men are up first tomorrow with the the silver fleet being relegated to the afternoon session. However, the forecast is for more light air so it could be another tough day. For the latest updates from the European Championships at www.rsxclass.com/europeans.html
June 10th, 2007 6:30 PM
2007 RS:X EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS DAY THREE SURPRISE CONDITIONS
Wind of up to twenty eight knots and high seas created a new leader, and added high drama to today’s single race
Limassol, Cyprus- It was a cloudy and windy day in Cyprus, not exactly the light air that had been forecast. Instead a solid 25 knots was pumping onshore shortly before the 11:00 start for the men’s fleet. An area of low pressure had swung into the area and was substantially deeper than expected. The swell and chop also built up very quickly to produce very challenging conditions.
Competitors were literally ‘flying’ downwind with fins fully clear of the water before disappearing into troughs only to re-emerge again a few seconds later, an airborne ‘speed blur’! It was totally ‘full on’ for the racers who came ashore with ‘wicked’ stories of heroic efforts to hold on while hitting speeds of up to 30 knots. A few competitors stepped it up today and dominated in the radical conditions.
In the men’s blue fleet 2003 Mistral World Champion, Przemyslaw Miarczynski (POL) won with room to spare and took back the overall lead from young gun Nicolas Le Gal (FRA). Le Gal who was sailing in the yellow fleet, had a torrid time finishing 15th, now happily discarded, and so clings on to second place for now.
The other young gun, Fabian Heidegger (ITA) who did well yesterday, also sailed his throw out finishing today’s blue fleet race in 15th, but still hangs onto third overall. JP Tobin (NZL), Joao Rodrigues (POR) and Ivan Pastor (ESP) are all square in fourth overall, the three sailed top five performances today. JP who rounded the bottom mark in second place during the race, fell on the jibe in the tricky conditions, but still recovered quickly enough to finish fourth. Not bad at all!
Next to start were the women. The breeze was building still further. Up went the ‘Y’ Flag and on went their lifejackets. The growing seas looked pretty gnarly! Straight out of the trap was the heroine of the day, Lucy Horwood (GBR) who reveled in the conditions using her vast Formula windsurfing experience to take the bullet. Alessandra Sensini (ITA) took 2nd and picked up some points on the overall score board where she sits in 3rd just behind Barbara Kendall (NZL) who finished 8th in today’s race. Regatta leader Marina Alabau (ESP) sailed her discard with an OCS but retains the overall lead.
Everyone has a well-earned rest day tomorrow, some to re-group and plan strategy, others to chill. The battle for the top step on the podium is well and truly on. Points are extremely close. Just about anyone in the top five could take it. The men’s fleet will now be split into Gold and Silver Fleets. Racing resumes on Tuesday.
2007 RS:X EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS DAY TWO YOUNG GUNS TAKE IT
Lighter winds made today’s racing a tight finish and led to many surprises in the fleet
Limassol, Cyprus- Day two of the RS:X European Championships, produced two splendid races that were extremely challenging for the athletes, as they had to work extremely hard to keep their RS:X moving in the lighter winds. The women started first today after a short postponement while waiting for the building sea breeze to fill. Marina Alabau (ESP) decimated the fleet today winning both races, and moving her further ahead on an already a strong lead. Sitting six points back is Barbara Kendall with a mixed bag today, she’s not as consistent in today’s condition and hit an eight and a four. Making a big comeback from her disappointing day yesterday is reigning World Champion Alessandra Sensini (ITA). She clawed back with a second and a third, putting her in third overall. Last years winner Blanca Manchon (ESP) is still within striking distance, but will have to improve on the two sevenths she posted today, where she sits fifth overall.
On the men’s side we have a new young gun that has clearly demonstrated he knows how to clean house. Fabian Heidegger (ITA) posted two bullets today in the blue fleet, and at only nineteen years of age, we are sure he has a solid career ahead of him. Fabian explained how he started on port at the pin end planning while the rest of the fleet was on starboard and mast track position forward. He barely cleared the fleet but this set him up for the right shift that kept him planning all the way to the finish. Fabian moved up to an impressive third overall.
Another young gun that played high risk, but came out with two bullets in the yellow fleet was Le Gal (FRA). While most of the fleet went on port to the shoreline, he decided to hit the left side of the course and it paid off big, he dusted the rest of the fleet on the second race to score his second bullet of the day. He took the overall lead as well with this shocking performance. Many other surprises were also found in the men’s fleet, with FEDERICO ESPOSITO (ITA) who was top ten in Hyeres SOF during the light air, showed his form again in the last race to finish second place. Yesterday’s winner, PRZEMEK MIARCZYNSKI (POL) had a fair day to finish second and fourth, but lost the overall lead to Le Gal.
With one race scheduled for tomorrow, and Gold/silver fleet separation to follow, we’ll see people working extra hard to make the cut. Light winds are in the forecast for tomorrow, and we’ll see if some light air specialists can turn the tables and position themselves for the win.
2007 RS:X EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS DAY ONE TRIO
With 10-15 knots winds, it was a perfect day of racing in Cyprus, with a three-race shoot out
Limassol, Cyprus- Day one of the 2007 RS:X Europeans Championships has gone off without a hitch, and leaders Przemyslaw Miarczynski (POL) and Barbara Kendal(NZL) showed that experience has won the day. Today’s breeze was a bit shiftier and cloudier than the commonly cloudless Cyprus, with the breeze turning right close to the shore, it was a race to port, with speed and timing defining characteristics of the day. Two fully planing races were held sharp at 11 AM then another one was held after lunch, giving competitors time to retune and prepare for the changing lighter winds for the third race.
On the men’s course the race was to the right and in group yellow, “Pont” Przemyslaw (POL) led the charge with a great start on the first race securing the bullet. In the blue group it was a tough fight involving Nikos Kaklamanakis (GRE), JP Tobin (NZL) and Joao Rodrigues (POR). Nikos said that he had had a tough morning “as it wasn’t the typical wind of Cyprus” but still was able to pull a, X and Y. JP Tobin says he was, “dicing it out” with the rest of the close group that landed him a bullet in the first race. Staying very consistent was Joao with a 2 and 4 in the morning races, choosing to go hard right both races. A great start in the first race saw him leading at the top mark. Gal Fridman, (ISR) 2004 Olympic Champion, was happy with his day of being consistently in the top five, except the first race. He’s lost a bit of weight recently which he explains is why he is “passing people much faster downwind.”
In the sequence of third races, the wind decided to back off a bit to around 10 knots. Half of the blue men’s fleet opted to leave their masts at the front of the track to assist their efforts to get onto the plane. Somehow, the leaders made the transition and pulled away slowly. Nikos Kaklamanakis (GRE) lead the charge to take the win with another veteran Joao Rodrigues (POR) hot on his heals, in close second. The yellow fleet followed suit and opted for mast forward in the track, however the leaders powered around the course in their own private war with their masts at the back of the track the entire time. Nicolas Le Gal (FRA) relished in the tricky conditions with a bullet that puts him in fourth overall.
On the women’s side, experience blended with new blood, leading by one point is Barbara Kendal (NZL) over Marina Alabau (ESP). Barbara was “very happy with her day” winning the first race in style, follow by second position on the next race and a third in the third. Marina explained, “well I am happy with today, I went close to the shore upwind, and had great speed, without too much work.” Marina won the last two races hands down, and made it look easy. Another favorite, Bryony Shaw (GBR) was close but still with work to do to make it back on the podium, finishing 6th and 11th making her 16th overall. Toni Frey also had a great day bringing herself in third overall, and very close to second place Marina.
Tomorrow calls for more 10-15 knot sea breezes and two races are on the schedule, leaving one more race to be sailed before the group splits into gold and silver fleet for the men. Many sailors relished today’s planning conditions, while other light wind specialists might have to wait another day or two before they can show off their expertise. A close race now for sure, so stay tuned and look for continued reporting and pictures at www.rsxclass.com/europeans.html
June 6th, 2007
The 2007 RS:X European Championships are set to take place in Cyprus with the first race day scheduled for next Friday. The Cyprus Yachting Association, the organisers, have made detailed plans for this their first major step onto the stage of Olympic windsurf racing not least the provision of perfect side-shore thermal winds and sunny skies set over an azure blue sea lapping soft sandy beaches. An outstanding venue for an outstanding championship!
Scrutineers are checking the equipment of more than 150 athletes from 31 countries. This is strictly ‘one design’ racing with everyone riding identical equipment just as they will at the 2008 Olympic Regatta in Quing Dao, China.
The pits are full of top names.
In the men’s fleet, there are the young hot shots hoping to take the scalps of the established performers. To name a few, here is Luksza Grodzicki (POL) who just won the Polish National Championship; Shahar Zubari (ISR) who did well in the Olympic Class Regattas in Palma and Hyeres; and Fabian Heidegger (ITA) who finished in the top 5 in the recent Breitling Regatta in Holland.
Look out for French stars Nicolas Huguet (FRA) and Nicholas Le Gal (FRA) who both finished top 5 in the 2006 RS:X European Championships in Cesme, Turkey. Then there is Andreas Cariolou (CYP) who will be out to prove something in his own backyard.
Then there are the guys who have proven that they can live through the high pressure of winning Olympic medals. Gal Fridman (ISR), Olympic Gold Medalist in Athens 2004, Nikos Kaklamankis (GRE), Olympic silver medalist in Athens 2004 .
In the ever growing women’s fleet, the competition will be no less intense. Barbara Kendal (NZL), who has won a complete set of Olympic medals (gold, Silver, and Bronze) has shown great speed and ability in the local consistent sea breezes. The current World Champion Alessandra Sensini (ITA) who also has won a few Olympic medals in her time is not going to be easy to beat. Neither is Faustine Merret (FRA) who stepped onto the top step of the podium to take Gold in Athens.
These women will be pushed all the way by Marina Alabau (ESP), vice world champion, Byrony Shaw (GBR), vice European Champion, Romy Kinzl (GER), Zofia Klepacka (POL) and Antonia Frey (GRE) to mention just a few.
So the stage is set for 7 days of blistering competition with many nations taking a hard look at their athletes with a view to each selecting the one man and one woman who will go to China in 2008.
The hard training is done. The forecast is looking good. The racing will be fast, furious and above all close. The stakes are high and likely to get higher!
for Photos from today, click here
URGENT NOTICE- ENTRY DEADLINE APPROACHING
The Pre-NoR for the 2007 RS:X European Championship has been posted at URL:
http://www.rsxclass.com/documents.htm
As a matter of urgency, MNA/National Class Associations should first download the 2007 European Qualification System posted at URL:
http://www.rsxclass.com/documents.htm
and then calculate the number of entries to which they are entitled by using the current ISAF Ranking List (February 7th)
If an MNA/National Class Association requires one or more places after working out how many places they are entitled to (above) they should apply for a
wild card to the Class Secretary at rory.ramsden@:btopenworld.com and confirm their entries at the same time.
We will forward our new bank details to you as soon as they become available. The theoretical deadline for your entry fee payments is February 26th 2007.
Your payment should include fees due for all competitors including wild card requests as well as registration fees for coaches and team support personnel.
The Class will confirm or reject wild card applications by March 8th. Rejected Wild Card registration fees will be credited to the bank account concerned
Invoices for National Class Association Annual fees will be sent out as soon as our new bank details are known. It would be much appreciated if you could
arrange to pay these at the same time as the above entry fees"
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