Another challenging day at the 2016 RS:X Open Europeans in Helsinki
July 5th, 2016 – Helsinki, Finland – The second day of the RS:X Windsurfing Europeans in Hernesaari, Helsinki got a great start with a good chance to get a maximum number of races scheduled as the wind forecast was very promising. Especially eager to race were women and the blue fleet of the youth men as despite of the Race Committee’s good will and many attempts to start the races for these fleets none of them were finished due to the unstable and shifty winds on the opening day.
Photo credits: Robert Hajduk/Shuttersail.com
PRO Lars Nyqvist (FIN) was happy to see everything going by the plan. “We have the conditions quite close to what was forecasted for today. The wind of WNW with velocity of ten knots was great to start the racing at 11 am. Shifts were causing some delays on the race course B where the youth fleet was racing, but luckily we did not need to change the course, only the buoys were moved a bit to correct the course. The wind picked up to twelve knots in a while and approaching clouds brought some strong gusts and shower to the race course. Everything worked well on the A course and both women and men got three races done by 3 pm giving them a Spare Day for Wednesday.”
On the seniors’ race course the men’s fleet got three races added to one race executed on the first day making it total of four by now. 2014 ISAF Worlds’ third, Thomas Goyard (FRA) got two bullets and twelfth finishing score today and with four points in total he jumped up to the lead. One point behind is Kieran Holmes-Martin (GBR), followed by yesterday’s leader Przemyslaw Miarczyński from Poland.
In division Men U21 the current leader is Clement Bourgeois (FRA), being the 8th in the overall men’s ranking.
See the full results here https://rsxclass.com/europeans2016/?results=men-open-trophy
Photo credits: Robert Hajduk/Shuttersail.com
The women, who were anxious to get some races done today, were lucky to have also three races sailed by the early afternoon. Strong performance was shown by the London Olympics’ Broze, Zofia Noceti-Klepcaka (POL). Two bullets and second place with total of four points giving her a safe lead ahead of Isobel Hamilton (GBR), who was ending as third at the World Sailing’ World Cup in Weymouth & Portland in June. The total of fourteen points give her the second position. Charline Picon (FRA), 2014 World Champion with total of seventeen points is at the third position.
In the Women U21 ranking, the current leader is Marta Maggetti, 2013 RS:X Youth World Champion, being the fourth in women’s overall ranking.
See the full results here https://rsxclass.com/europeans2016/?results=women-open-trophy
Youth Men, who were sailing in yellow and blue fleets, got equally three races done by today’s afternoon. Two bullets and three points scored Tom Reuveny (ISR) making him with total of five points the best among U17 division and the current leader of the youth fleet. The sixth of the 2015 RS:X Youth European Championship, Matteo Evangelisti (ITA) is on the second position with eleven points. Kfir Azulay (ISR) is following as third with twelve points in total.
Youth women have been the luckiest by now – two races on the opening day and three more races on the second day makes five races sailed by now. Waiting for their chance to race until late afternoon they eventually went out and got their three races sailed as planned. Very strong performance was made by the 2015 Youth European Champion Noy Drihan (ISR) leading the youth women’s series. Tight battle is going on for the second and third positions. On the second place today is Mariam Sekhposyan (RUS), last year’s Youth Europeans’ fourth, tied with 2015 Youth Europeans’ sixth, Maya Morris (ISR).
See the full results here https://rsxclass.com/europeans2016/?results=youth-women-open-trophy
After today’s races the senior men have done their qualifications having a spare day tomorrow, however youth men will finalize their qualification by tomorrow. Senior women will also race tomorrow as only three races have been sailed up to now, when youth women will enjoy their free day and spare time in Helsinki, as five races sailed for their fleet.
Photo credits: Robert Hajduk/Shuttersail.com
209 athletes from 33 nations and 5 continents have gathered to Helsinki to test themselves at the final title event before stepping up to the biggest challenge of all at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. It’s especially great to see so many athletes taking part from outside the Europe; for example Japan, Oman, Hong Kong, Seyshelles, Aruba, Thailand, Brazil, Mexico, here in Helsinki.
There will be a maximum thirteen races in a series over five race days. The regatta will consist of an Opening Series and, provided a minimum of six races have been completed in the Opening Series, a Medal Race. Men and Youth Men Opening Series’ are split in the Qualifying Series and in the Final Series. The top ten at the end of the Opening Series will advance to the Medal Race. On the last day one Medal Race is scheduled with one further Opening Series race for those not assigned to the Medal Race.
2016 RS:X European Windsurfing Championships & European Windsurfing Open Trophy including the 2016 Helsinki RS:X U21 Windsurfing Championships together with the 2016 RS:X Youth European Windsurfing Championships & Youth European Windsurfing Open Trophy including the 2016 Helsinki RS:X U17 Windsurfing Championships are organised by Helsinki Sail Racing Management (HSRM) in co-operation with the International RS:X Class Association on July 2nd to 9th.
The supporters and partners of the 2016 RS:X Europeans in Helsinki are Mercedes Benz, KONE, City of Helsinki, Helsinki Region Transport, Familia/Pan Nordic Meat , Ocean Nation, S1 Networks together with the International RS:X Class Association and World Sailing.
Event Schedule:
Monday 4th July to Friday 8th July – Races scheduled to start at 11 am
Wednesday 6th July – Reserve Day
Saturday 9th July – Races and Medal Race scheduled to start at 11 am
Saturday 9th July – Last possible warning signal 5 pm
Saturday 9th July – Prize Giving and Closing Ceremony – scheduled for 7.30 pm
Event website: https://rsxclass.com/europeans2016/
RS:X class in Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RSXOlympicWindsurfing/
Event photos by Robert Hajduk/Shuttersail.com : https://rsxclass.com/media/pictures/?album=4540
Event videos by Icarus Sailing Media: https://rsxclass.com/media/videos/
Text:
Piret Salmistu
RS:X Class
For more information please contact:
Andrus Poksi
Executive Secretary
International RS:X Class Association
[email protected]