SAILING NEWS
News 17
championship
RS Feva 3 Mobile Europeans 2007,
Waterford – Ireland
VISUALISE rural Ireland. Give the image a huge
bay and cliffs with rolling fields and a fishing har-
bour. Add sunshine, two days of gentle breezes and
2 days of good winds and 70 Fevas with only two
aims in mind – winning and socialising. Result?
One awesomely competitive European
Championship and some very improved interna-
tional relations at teenage level and parents who
managed to simultaneously have a great holiday.
On the first day the scene was set with hard rac-
ing in the two practice races. IRO Richard Stevens,
gave the competitors and his own team a good
workout whilst the Swedes Sofia Engstrom/Frida
Langenius posed the age old question of whether
the practice race winners could go on to win the
main event. The girls looked frighteningly quick
but it was noted that in one of the races the leading
Italians had pulled out before the finish.
Racing on Monday was postponed by several
hours to allow the light breeze to settle and build.
Early signs were looked for in the opposition across
the dinghy park. By later in the week the dinghy
park eyeing up was dropped in favour of downright
straightforward fraternisation. Wouldn’t have been
allowed in my day! When the sailing became pos-
sible they banged in three good races. Quickest off
the mark were Simona Benelli/Matilda Pitanti
BUILT FOR SPEED: The RS Feva in action Pictures courtesy of RS
(ITA) followed by Guy Stephens/Rory Spriggs
(GBR – Abingdon School) and the Swedes
heavily over the line and the IRO was forced into places so the final race was critical. Mattie
Sofia/Frida. By close of play the Swedes were
using the Black flag for the first time in 5 years. O’Dowd/Jack Burke (IRL) got the bullet to nab 4th
looking good sat on a 3-2-1. Guy Stephens/Rory
Performance of the day was from James from Hamer/Gratton who in turn only beat Simona
Spriggs were also sitting pretty on 8-3-7 with
Hamer/Ben Gratton (GBR) with 1-5-3 followed Benelli/Matilde Pitanti (ITA) by one point. The
Irelands Jenny Andreasson/Jane Butler in third
closely by Stephens/Spriggs. The latter team cut points winners over the last two days were Alex
with 9-6-12. James Bolingbroke/Matt
the overall lead of the Swedes to one point to set up Poyner/Holly Tucker, who left the fleet trailing
Heathcote(GBR) had the days if not the entire
a nail-biting last day. It was a great day for the Brits over those six races to climb into 7th, …if only. 8th
championship’s top move though. In race 2 they
though as in race 9 TallyEyre/Chessie Eyre chalked were Bolingbroke/Heathcote, 9th Andreasson/Butler
port tack started the entire fleet and won by a huge
up a 1st with Alex Poyner/Holly Tucker nailing 2nd and 10th Harrington/English (IRL).
1’36’’. The Italian team continued their impressive
in a Brit 1 to 5. For the Junior European Crown Hugo Jones-
form by winning the quiz night as well.
Thursday had near identical conditions to Warner/Hugo Tucker (GBR, Chichester/Emsworth),
Tuesday saw a repeat of Monday weatherwise
Wednesday once racing got underway. The major came from behind on the last day to grab a well
and some doubt was thrown on the Swedes’
issues were: a) could the Swedes recover from earned win from Lowes/Sanders with 3rd place
position when they recorded a 15-9 in races 4 & 5.
being pulled back the previous day to retain their going to Tom Adams/Joel Bell (GBR, Burnham).
Back to normal though for the last race when they
lead and b) could Will Lowes/Kate Sanders (GBR) Ultimately success was also 1st SWE, 2nd GBR,
posted their first bullet – the other two were to be
retain their lead for the European Junior crown. 3rd ITA, 4th IRL - top 10 included 1 Swede, 4
discarded in due course! Stephens/Spriggs closed
The Swedes Sofia/Frida answered the questions in Brits, 2 Italians and 3 Irish – it also included four
the gap whilst Edoardo Marini/Stefano Balestrero
the best way possible by posting their second bullet all-girl teams. Socially the event was awesome.
(ITA) came from nowhere to post 3-5-3 on the day.
in race 10. They then sailed maturely to seal the The entire event was made possible by the phenom-
Wednesday saw the weather change to something
championship by not letting Stephens/Spriggs out enal work by Mark Kettle and the host clubs mem-
more breezy. Changes were expected and the
of their sights and they in turn sealed 2nd overall. bers who were incredible. Financially we were all
watchers (well those who hadn’t gone on the trip to
Marini/Balestrero did a magnificent job to get the indebted to the great support from 3 mobile and the
Waterford Glass) weren’t disappointed. One
final podium position. Behind them though the Irish Sports Council.
ord Harbour Sailing Club change was that the tide was now pushing the fleet
proverbial tablecloth could cover the next five – Report by John Partridge
Building on success
THE Blackwater Sailing Club (BSC) has recently acquired and water. It received planning consent in March 2007 with
a new building to supplement its superb facilities in full support by Heybridge Parish Council as well as
Heybridge Basin. In addition to the sea wall clubhouse with conditional approval by the Environment Agency and no
panoramic views of the estuary it now has a very smart objections by local residents.
pavilion overlooking the picturesque lake that provides a The building has already been proof-tested during the
safe training facility for families and cadet members to recent 24hr race that took place on the lake from 13.00
learn to sail before venturing on to the river. hours Saturday 7 July to 13.00 hours on Sunday 8 July
BSC has recently been awarded RYA Volvo Champion 2007, and was much appreciated by the night shift.
Club status so this new pavilion is a fitting addition to the The building has been supplied by Poulton Portables and
lakes facilities which includes several club boats. thanks to a generous donation by Persimmon Homes it has
These are available for members to use at any time but also been furnished. Alan Coday, club member and leading
the lake also regularly features sailing squad training ses- force in the concept and design of the building thanked all
sions as well as some exciting model yacht racing by of those involved at the official opening on Sunday 29 July
Chelmsford Radio YC. attended by Commodore Barry Foulds and many delighted
The pavilion will provide space for on shore instruction members.
as well as a shelter for safety supervisors, instructors and Cutting the ribbon were ‘oldest cadets’ Jean Wright and
parents and is available to all members and lake hirers. In Derek Leaver with assistance from young cadet Harry
OPEN HOUSE: The tape is cut Picture: Peter Gould
addition it will have wheel chair access as well as power Coday, pictured left.
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