The 2006 RS: X Europeans

Euro Gas

Monday, 3rd day of the RS:X Europeans. As dawn broke the skies were unexpectedly overcast and the wind very light, the women"s fleet was to start first with 2 races back to back. Whilst the gold and silver split for the men would have alternate races. later in the day. Also, today is the last day of qualifying before the men's fleets are decided for the Finals rounds.

The women started on time in 8 to 10 knots of breeze. If you think Antonia Frey shined yesterday, well today she put a very positive step towards making this championship a walk away competition, further stretching her lead by scoring a 5th and a 3rd. Toni showed she has all gears in more than one set of conditions, blitzing the competition. Out of the top 5 women, only Pauline Perrin score a top 5 finish, the rest were left in the teens. Maayan Davidovich(ISR) was the next most consistent women, reveling in the light conditions scoring a 2nd and a 6th. And finally Chan Wai Kei(HGK) score a win in the last race.

Today saw the last day of qualifying before the final series of races. The Gold and Silver fleets will be determined. Those in the Gold fleet then go on to battle it out in the medal rounds, where only the top ten advance. Two stand outs making their way to the top of the list are Nick Dempsey(GBR) and Nicolas Huguet(FRA). Nick scored a 2nd and a 7th to stretch his lead 3 points in front of Nicloas. Nicolas scored a 4th and a 1st. During the last reach to the gate. A furious, jibing, covering match between Miarczynski Przememek(nickname Pont)(POL) and Huguet had most spectators gasping for air. At times only a metre or two seperating them. Close to 12 jibes, one on top of the other had saw Pont briefly take the lead, only to be passed on the last leg of the Slalom finish. An exhibition rarely seen by these two competitors.

06/13/06

Dempsey and Manchon Rule the Europeans

We found our selves in a becalmed state at the RS:X Europeans this morning. The race committee kept the top ten medal competitors from both men's and women's fleets in a holding pattern until about 13:30. The wind then steadied and the women were first off the rank. Still a bit patchy, but definitely contestable. The outcome hung in the hands of Blanca Manchon, and Antonia Frey. Who from the start were on top of each other from before the starting gun went. It was survival of the fittest. Who could out wit who. And physically who was the strongest. Blanca and Tony both started very close to each other and the covering began. The left looked the favoured side, but some gusts through the middle paid off for both Byrony Shaw(GBR)and Chan Wai Ke (HKG). Who rounded first and planed off down wind. Close to the leaders was then Blanca Manchon who shook the cover Tony Frey, Tony was caught in a bad shift with less pressure and relegated to around 8th place. Only sealing the lead for Blanca. The battle for

First place continued to the end with Chan Wai Kei coming in home convincingly. Bryony sailed a great race to seal up second European, Blanca crossing third to be victorious, and be crowned European Champion 2006, Third place went to Pauline Perrin (FRA) Although in the overall results which include the non Europeans, Antonia Frey takes out the third place.

The wind increased slightly for the Men's medal race, which was well to the liking of the heavier blokes in the fleet. The start was a lot more spread out, due to the planing speed. Joeri Van Dijk off to the left side leading the pack, followed by the two polish Piotr Myszka and Miarczynski Przemek. Jp Tobin took a high line, But to tell you the truth it was a lottery until the first mark. Pont (PRZEMEK) stormed around first, followed by Nick Dempsey. Rounding in third was JP Tobin leading up the rest of the group. By the end of the down wind it was still Pont, followed by Nick and third was Nicolas Huguet. The group behind switched and changed multiple times. At the finish it was still Pont, But all the glory goes to Nick Dempsey who through the whole regatta kept a cool head and finished the job in style. Second place went to Joeri Van Dyke, Who in the switchy fluky conditions capitalized , third place to Nicolas Huguet ever the competitor in all conditions.

06/20/06