The Leaders Start To Form At 2016 RS:X Open Europeans in Helsinki

July 7th, 2016 – Helsinki, Finland – After a sunny day there was not much more than steady wind to like about today’s weather in Helsinki. Instead of sunshine grey sky with showers and thermometer did not show more than +14 degrees Celsius. Westerly wind from 7 up to 14 knots helped to get three races done for all fleets today. Sailors went to the water according to the schedule and the first warning signal of the day was given at 11 am.

In the Women’s fleet the power lines will start to form after Day 4. After nine races sailed Zofia Noceti-Klepacka (POL-8), who in her career won the Windsurfing World Championships in 2007 and participated in three editions of the Olympic Games, winning the bronze medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics, is a strong leader with twenty two points by now.  The battle for the second and third position is very close. Charline Picon (FRA-4), who has captured two bronze medals at the Windsurfing World Championships, and eventually attained a top ten finish at the 2012 Summer Olympics, is on the second position with thirty seven points. Only one point behind on the third place is 2015 ISAF Youth World Champion and 2016 RS:X World Championship  5th overall, Stefania Elfutina from Russia (RUS-271), also as the best in Women’s U21 division.

All three of them would like to make their best performance at the Rio Summer Olympics and for Stefania Elfutina, the youngest among current Top 3, the dream she have had since 2010, came true at Palma back in March. “I’ve been dreaming about this Olympics since 2010. Sounds silly, I know. I was quite little (13 years old) and it seemed impossible. But anyway I always kept it in mind. It wasn’t easy to qualify for the Olympics. My last step for the selection was at Palma. This event was so hard for me. Maybe it was because of all the pressure, now it’s all ok. I’m looking forward to Rio and still can’t believe it. So it seems that dreams do come true,” she said happily climbing to the title event podium now.

Women Open Trophy – Top 5 (9 races sailed, 1 discard)
1. Zofia Noceti-Klepacka POL-8 22.0 pts
2. Charline Picon FRA-4 37.0 pts
3. Stefania Elfutina RUS-271 38.0 – U21
4. Marta Maggetti ITA-157 61.0 – U21
5. Isobel Hamilton GBR-30 79.0 pts

See the full results here https://rsxclass.com/europeans2016/?results=women-open-trophy

Men’s fleet was after qualifiers divided into Gold and Silver fleets today and were the first ones to end the racing after three races sailed. The competition is tough and anything won’t be decided before the final day. However, the same three top guys have been keeping their positions strongly and the leaderboard has retained the same now in the Gold Fleet like while ending the qualifying series. 2014 ISAF Worlds’ third, Thomas Goyard (FRA-3) is leading the Men’s fleet with fourteen points, two points behind is Kieran Holmes-Martin (GBR-11) and Przemyslaw Miarczynski (POL-126) is on the third position, two points behind from the second place.  After today’s racing Thomas Goyard was very happy with his races today. “The wind was very complicated and it was very hard to find the good shift – even without a pressure it was hard to get out. I did 8-1-1 today, but I’m still very tight with Kieran from Great Britain. I’m hoping to do better in the next days and very much looking forward to it.”

Men Open Trophy – Top 5 (7 races sailed, 1 discard)
1. Thomas Goyard FRA-3 14.0 pts
2. Kieran Holmes-Martin GBR-11 16.0 pts
3. Przemyslaw Miarczynski POL-126 18.0 pts
4. Daniele Benedetti ITA-60 26.0 pts
5. Mattia Camboni ITA-88 27.0 pts – U21

See the full results here https://rsxclass.com/europeans2016/?results=men-open-trophy

Youth Men, who were also divided into Gold and Silver fleets, got the first three races from their Final Series sailed today. Israelis athletes are keeping their double lead in Gold fleet, however Tal Zadok (ISR-2) is leading with thirty points now followed by Tom Reuveny (ISR-60), three points behind being also the best in U21 division, followed by the 2015 Youth World Champion, Dutch Sil Hoekstra (NED-25) as third with twenty five points in total.

See the full results here https://rsxclass.com/europeans2016/?results=youth-men-open-trophy

Like among the Youth Men, two athletes from Israel are on top of the Youth Women’s fleet. Noy Drihan (ISR-20) is leading the fleet with sixteen points followed by her compatriot Maya Morris (ISR-7) with twenty six points and Mariam Sekhposyan (RUS-13) is third with thirty three points now.

See the full results here https://rsxclass.com/europeans2016/?results=youth-women-open-trophy

On Friday there will be a conclusive day for the athletes to achieve the best possible positions for the Final Series and Medal Races to be held on Saturday. The top ten at the end of the Opening Series will advance to the Medal Race.  On the last day one Medal Race for each fleet is scheduled with one further Opening Series race for those not assigned to the Medal Race.

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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 2^nd to 9^th.

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 4^th July to Friday 8^th July – Races scheduled to start at 11 am
Wednesday 6^th July – Reserve Day
Saturday 9^th July – Races and Medal Race scheduled to start at 11 am
Saturday 9^th July – Last possible warning signal 5 pm
Saturday 9^th 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]