Varied Conditions Give Fleet Full Challenge
49erFX The 49erFX were completely blown out on Wednesday as the wind strength was well beyond the limit for the racers. Thursday’s lighter breeze was welcomed by the sailors and they completed four good races. Sweden’s Lisa Ericson and Hanna Klinga revelled in the conditions, picking up two bullets, a second and a tenth. They […]
Spain Reopen 49er Trials – Should Match Racing Be Allowed While Fleet Racing
The Alonso Brothers won Rio selection over youngsters Diego Botin and Iago Marra over a two regatta trials system that was the 2015 World Championship in Buenos Aires and the 2016 World Championship in Clearwater. The Spanish trial was basically simple; whichever team gets the best cumulative placings over the two World Championships gets to […]
Hansen and Iversen Seize Moment to Claim First European Title
Sometimes a regatta can come down to a moment, and for Jena Hansen and Katja Iversen they seized the moment and claimed their first ever European title. The Danish duo trailed Italians and reigning European Champions Giulia Conti and Francesca Clapcich by four points entering the medal race, meaning they had to beat the Italians […]
Both 2015 European Champions Poised to Repeat
It was a scramble for both Gold fleets on Day 5 of the European Championships as few teams managed consistency through the day due to the inconsistent winds. Back on shore as teams discussed the racing, mostly befuddled, the old boys coaches union brought out expressions like “Barcelona Banana” from the days of the 1992 […]
Spaniards on a Roll – An Armada In the Making
Tamara Echegoyen emerged as an afterthought in London to claim the Gold medal in the women’s Match racing in 2012. The pundits all promoted their favorites, some of the biggest names in the sport of sailing but Echegoyen was unflappable and beat them all to claim gold. Teaming up with Berta Betanzos, a 470 World […]
On the Bubble to Gold
It was a stressful final day of qualifying for the 72 boat 49er fleet, only 25 of whom can make gold fleet. With seven of ten scheduled races completed there were still more than 20 teams on the bubble hoping to sail well enough to keep their hopes alive. The conditions were a combination of […]
Sunsational Start to 2016 European Championship in Barcelona
The super competitive 49er fleets lined up and stretched their legs as racing got under way from the world class Barcelona International Sailing center. Just up the Mediterranean beaches from where the 1992 Olympics were held, the 2016 Olympic fleet and the rest of the world chasing skirmished in the opening races. The 49erFX raced […]
Last Chance to Compare Before Rio and Fleet Rejuvenation
The 2016 European Championship from Barcelona, Spain marks a turning point between the 2016 quadrennial and the 2020 Tokyo Quadrennial. As most of the Olympic fleet has been decided, many top team who will not be racing in Rio will take a break, or maybe just a breath, before reassessing their futures in Olympic sailing. […]
Irish Secure Their First Ever Win in the 49er
Irishmen Ryan Seaton and Matt McGovern have secured the in Palma – their first major regatta win of their 49er careers. The popular team finished 14th at the last Olympics and has had brief moments near the top of the fleet, including a second place finish at Sailing World Cup Hyeres in 2014 but now take a step […]
Irish Secure Their First Ever Win in the 49er
Irishmen Ryan Seaton and Matt McGovern have secured the in Palma – their first major regatta win of their 49er careers. The popular team finished 14th at the last Olympics and has had brief moments near the top of the fleet, including a second place finish at Sailing World Cup Hyeres in 2014 but now take a step […]