Buzz Eurocup at Associazione Velica Alto Sebino, Lake Iseo, Italy

Buzz Eurocup at Lake Iseo, Italy © AVAS

Buzz Eurocup at Lake Iseo, Italy © AVAS

Buzz Eurocup at Lake Iseo, Italy © AVAS

Friday 25th July

All but two Buzzes had arrived to set up and have a test sail on Friday afternoon. Three Buzzes had travelled from the UK (Buzz 748, Buzz 1027 and Buzz 2000) and three from Italy (Buzz 590, Buzz 950, Buzz 978). The first impressions of Lake Iseo was it was unspoilt by mass tourism.

Saturday 26th July

We arrived early for registration to find that it was delayed by a computer glitch, but it was the perfect opportunity it catch up with Italian friends. An hour later we were all registered and had had a pastry for breakfast. Briefing was not very optimist about getting on the water for any races, but was the ideal time to help each other by swap tuning tips and changing broken kit. After several hours waiting, and a spot of heavy rain the race committee abandoned racing for the day.

There was an evening meal put on by the marina bar, four courses later and several glasses of wine we were ready to retire.

Sunday 27th July

There was a relaxed feel to the boat park, as there was little wind when we arrived. All of a sudden the wind picked up and there was a sense of anticipation and a rush to get ready and launch.

Race one - Everyone got a clean start, Buzz 748, 1027 and 978 started off on the right side of the course, whereas Buzz 2000, 590 and 950 went up the left side of the course. After half a leg all of the Buzzes except 2000 and 950 were going up the left side of the course. 2000 fell into a hole, letting the rest of the fleet build a lead round the windward mark to the wing mark, with 748 leading 590, who had read the shifts well up the first leg. The downwind leg was a gybe round the wing mark and then a reach to the leeward mark. Buzz 748 continued to lead the fleet with 590 second and 590 third.

Race two - with the wind dropping, everyone lined up for the start as the blue peter dropped the individual recall went up. 1027 and 590 went back over the line. 978 and 2000 went up the right side of the course again, but the left side paid off and with 1027 being in clear air they beat 748 to the windward mark. The downwind leg was now very tight, which caused 590 to capsize. 1027 lead the second lap with 748 following, there was a close battle for third place which was won by 2000 with 978 in fourth.

The race committee decided that the wind was too light to do anymore races so the rest of the races were cancelled. There was a prize giving for the windsurfers and beer on tap.Many of the Buzzes joined the ISO's in a local restaurant for a very reasonably priced meal and wine, with the odd lemoncello.

Monday 28th July

The wind looked more promising, and kicked in from the south right on time. It was a good F4 breeze, which the Buzzes enjoyed while the race committee set up the course.

Race three - by the time the buzzes started the wind had dropped to a f3-4. 748 led the race from the start with 978 close behind. There was a close battle at the last mark between 1027 and 2000 who finished in third and forth.

Race four - the wind was dropping to a f2-3, with the positions the same as race three for the top four, but 950 beating 590 to fifth.

Race five - another clean get away saw 748 leading the race with 1027 in second and 2000 in third, overtaking 978 on the downwind leg to the last leeward mark.

Race six - with the wind dropping even further, the race committee decided to start a forth race for the day. The boats were lining up for the start when all of a sudden a gust took three boats straight over, a couple of seconds before the flag dropped. 1027 and 590 went back but the individual flag still stayed up. The four remaining boats got tied up in dirty wind, which enabled 1027 and 590 to lead round the windward mark. 1027 decided to soak down the middle of the course, 748 followed them, the three Italian boats went down the right side of the course whereas 2000 went down the left. 2000 on the left had plenty of wind, whereas the rest of the course had very little, 748 made the snap decision to come across. The boats on the right side, suddenly had a good gust which took them to the line, of the shortened course. 978 crossed the line first, with 950 and 748 following. It was later discovered that 978 was across the line so 950 was promoted to first.

Another buffet was provided by the club, where competitors debriefed each other of the days events.

Tuesday 29th July

With much anticipation for a final day of racing, we arrived at the club to find very little wind and storm clouds gathering. After several hours wait the race committee made the decision that the wind would not kick in and that it was probably best to pack boats up while it was dry. The prize giving was held then a buffet of Italian meat, bread and cakes. It was them time to say a farewell to Italian friends for another two years.

Thank you to AVAS for holding a brilliant Eurocup, grandparents on shore and wives at home who allowed other halves to sail. Well done to Matt and Frankie who are European Champions 2014.

Overall results can be found here (PDF format).