On Lake Traunsee, Austria, the men's 470 gold fleet completed only one race today at the Open 470 European Championships for Men/Mixed and Women, with a start in heavy airs and a finish in a flat patch. The women's 470 event had three general recalls before the wind conditions reached the lowest limits for racing.
Sime Fantela and Igor Marenic from Croatia won back their lead in the 470 men's event, however there will be strong competition in the medal race. Giulia Conti and Giovanna Micol from Italy hold their overnight lead from yesterday.
As happened in the previous four days sailors enjoyed their morning rest ashore and on the water, before the wind came up. At around 15:30 a strong 24 knot breeze promised conditions perfect for racing lots of action.
The women's fleet was the first to receive the starting signal. The fleet appeared nervous and aggressive, the women's crews were eager to get a good start knowing that the final phase of the championship was in sight. The situation resulted in a general recall and Race Management decided to get the men's gold fleet away. The men, having their first race in the final series and seventh in total, got away without problems. Unfortunately though during the race the wind conditions worsened by the minute.
The women's fleet had two more start attempts, both resulting in a general recall. The wind changed direction by 180 degrees and the Race Committee concentrated on finalizing the ongoing men's racing in the gold fleet. They sent the men's silver and women's fleet back ashore. The gold fleet sailed into a flat patch and a nerve-racking competition ensued over last few metres. Sven Coster and Kalle Coster (NED) crossed the finish line in first position. Although they had a 20th overall position just two days ago, they climbed back io a fifth overnight. The #1 pair on the ISAF World Rankings and silver medalists at last year's 470 European Championship are back in the race for gold.
Sime Fantela and Igor Marenic (CRO) won back the lead from Harada Ryunosuke Yoshida Yugo (JPN). Both crews have 37 points.
'After the two bad results of yesterday, we were able to concentrate again and so could sail a great race today. Unfortunately, at the end we were unlucky with the dropping wind, losing five positions on the last 100 metres. However when you look at the result list most of our direct opponents made mistakes today;that gives us a good advantage for the final two days. We now want to continue like this and then we will see what happens on Sunday' Sime Fantela said.
Lucas Zellmer and Heiko Seelig from Germany have moved up slowly during the event and now maintain a steady hold on third place overall only three points below the leading Croatians. In today's race they lost six positions in the heavy battle that took place in those last few metres.
'There are races where you get the necessary puff at the right moment, and then there are days like today, when you lose a possible lead in the last few seconds. We are doing quite well this week and we have a good feeling for the coming two days. Our goal is to win a medal. Gold would be a dream; this time we have a good chance to fulfill that dream' Lucas Zellmer said.
With three failed starts and no race, the women's 470 event still has only five races completed. There is one change within the top 10 overall rankings. Margriet Fokkema and Marieke Jongens (NED) were granted a redress and moved back inside the top ten, to a seventh overall position.
Race Manager Helmut Czasny and his team have had been busy with the conditions. Fortunately tomorrow's wind predictions are better than today's.
'With wind shifts of 20-50 degrees, I can't guarantee fair racing. The last race reached the limit, but to risk another outer limit in a race is not worth it. Thermal winds are forecast tomorrow which means a more stable and sailable wind speed. The plan is to sail three races tomorrow before we start the medal race on Sunday' Helmut Czasny said.
Racing concludes on Sunday 14th June with Medal Races.
Results and more information about the event are available at the event web site: www.traunseewoche.at/
Cape Leeuwin, WA
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