EUROSAF Youth 2015 at Brest, France - Day 4
by Youth EUROSAF 2015 1 Aug 2015 23:19 BST
26 July - 2 August 2015
As forecasted, the wind rose at the Moulin Blanc marina in the early afternoon. Thanks to some good conditions (sun, 8 to 9 knots North/North-Westerly wind), the young sailors engaged in the Eurosaf Youth Championship were able to compete between one and three races today, depending on the class. A formality for some, for others it was all or nothing as they were fighting to grab the last remaining places in the Top 8 and pocket a ticket to the Medal Race.
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The German pair Sofie SCHÖNE and Line Johanna THIELEMANN could only manage to finish the only race of the day in 10th position, so they dropped two places in the general classification. British sailors Jenny CROPLEY and Emma BAKER (GBR) took advantage of this to take top spot overall. The French pair Jessie KAMPMAN and Anael PONTHIEU (SR Antibes) is now 2nd.
With a huge 16 points lead over their followers, Théo CARAYON and Erwan LUCAS (FRA – YC Crouesty Arzon) are guaranteed victory before even starting the Medal Race! With 36 points each, Nikolaus KAMPELMÜHLER & Olivier KOBALE (AUT) and Matteo ZARBIN & Giulio MACCARRONE (ITA) will fight over the remaining places on the podium tomorrow.
Laser radial
Francesca BERGAMO (ITA) is still leading general classification. The order behind her has changed with French girl Louise CERVERA (YC Cannes) losing second spot to Hungarian Maria ERDI (HUN), but the gap widens with 4th position, Carolina ALABANO (ITA).
As for the Boys, Italians Paolo GIARGIA and Gianmarco PLANCHESTAINER are tonight's top 2 with Briton Jack COOKSON (GBR) slipping down one position to third. With only a single point between each of them, tomorrow's Medal Race promises to be a great decider!
SL16 catamaran
Perfect day for Louis FLAMENT and Charles DORANGE (FRA – SR Rochelaises) with 3 victories. Sitting comfortably second with an 18 points cushion over third position, come Matteo CHEVRIER and Gaspard COSSE (FRA – EV Cataschool). This means that whatever happens in the Medal Race, it will be France 1st and 2nd tomorrow!
29er
Polish girls Alkjandra MELZACKA and Maja MICINSKA have consistently been at the top the series but, with two victories today, Britons Anna PRESCOTT and Eve TOWNSEND (GBR) are now only two points behind. With 16 points separating 2nd and 3rd, the two pairs won't be caught tomorrow and will fight for victory in the Medal Race.
RS:X windsurfers
With 3 victories today, and 9 out of 11 this week, Mariam SEKHPOSYAN (RUS) has been in a league of her own in this European Championship. But behind her is French girl Bérénice MEGE (ASPTT Meyzieu Décine), who could create a surprise tomorrow.
As for the Boys, Matteo EVANGELISTI (ITA) still leads the overall classification. Local boy Titouan LE BOSQ had a great day today finishing 2nd, 1st and 3rd. He goes back to joint second, sharing points with Italian Carlo CIABATTI (ITA). What a final this is going to be!
Tomorrow is Medal Race Day! The Top 8 in each series will compete in the finals. At 14:00, races will take place in front of the Pôle France so that the public can fully enjoy the competition from the marina. There will only be a single race in each series, with points counting double.
The number of entrants in the SL16 and RSX Girls didn't reach 8 so this means that all competitors are automatically qualified for the Medal Race.
As for the sailors who did not qualify, there will be a "fun race" tomorrow in each series, starting at 12:00, with a mixed start (Boys and Girls).
What was said today
Louise CERVERA (FRA - RS:X): "I'm not really pleased with my results today, I finished 5th in a race and lost ground on the 1st and 2nd positions overall. I still managed to distance the sailor in 4th position but I was in for the win in that race, so it's frustrating! I will sleep over it tonight and come back on form tomorrow for the medal!"
Mariam SEKHPOSYAN (RUS RS:X): "A very good day for me today: 1st, 1st and 1st! I'm really pleased overall with what I have done so far this week. I didn't do any major mistake so I'm still leading ahead of the Medal Race. But I'll have to keep a close eye on Bérénice [MEGE] tomorrow, she's very strong!"
Pierre TYDGAT (FRA - 29er): "It wasn't great today, we're not very pleased with our results. We are still leading but we lost ground on 2nd position so the Medal Race will be crucial. We'll have to watch the British pair [Dan VENABLES and Patrick KEECH], but at least, we are guaranteed top 2 tomorrow night."
Results can be found here.