RS Feva Eurocup Grand Final at Muiderzand Regatta Centre - Day 1

RS Feva Eurocup Grand Final day 1 © Frances Peters

RS Feva Eurocup Grand Final day 1 © Frances Peters

RS Feva Eurocup Grand Final day 1 © Frances Peters

Today saw the opening of the first ever RS Feva Eurocup Grand Final being held at the new Regatta Centre in Muiderzand, Holland.

Sailors arriving early yesterday enjoyed a series of evening training races in gorgeous sunshine and fresh breeze on the Markermeer in preparation for racing today. After the first two Eurocup events this summer; the RS Feva European Championships and the Crown Cup & Czech National Championships, this event will complete the series and decide the first RS Feva Eurocup Champion.

By start time there was a steady 8 knot breeze and the sun had broken through the clouds; everything was in line for a super day. Evidently eager to race, boats struggled to stay the correct side of the start line but after 2 general recalls they were away. Pressure on the left side of the beat and a slight left shift meant everything was pointing that way. It was the Czech boat, Jakub Dobry and Tereza Dobra that saw the gain and led to mark one before gybing out at the mark. Jack Lewis and Lucas Marshall (GBR) were hot on the Czech heels, followed by Dutch team, Lizet de Vries and Juldou Gerritsen. The Dutch and the British split from the leaders and embarked on their own battle on the right. Dobry & Dobra extended their lead to take the first gun of the series, meanwhile Ties van der Stroom & Floris Breuking of the Netherlands managed to sneak in between their teammates and the Brits to finish 3rd just behind Lewis & Marshall.

A big cloud darkened the race course and with it, the wind increased slightly. Picking up where they'd left off, Dobry & Dobra and Lewis & Marshall got straight into a battle on the left of the course, while the rest of the fleet bunched in the middle of the course. Another Czech boat, Jaroslav Cermak and Petr Kostal popped out from the fleet to cross the duelling pair. After a season of tight racing with their teammates, each taking turns to lead the other, Cermak & Kostal snatched the opportunity to lock horns with Dobry & Dobra and tacked on them, taking their lane. Their strategy worked and they led the first lap of the race before a shift saw Dobry & Dobra sneak past the leading pair to take another race win. Lewis & Marshall chased, forcing Cermak & Kostal to settle for 3rd.

The sun returned but the wind was on the decrease. It was set to be a light and tactical race. Local knowledge proved advantageous as Dutch team, Linze Andringa and Job Modderman led to the mark. Dobry & Dobra continued their form and were not far behind with Lewis & Marshall on their heels. True to form the two boats opened fire and embarked on what seemed to be their own private race. By the leeward mark they filled the top two spots and proceeded to break free from the fleet. In the end it was the Brits' turn to win. Lisolette Beemster and Rick van de Luur took 3rd ahead of Cermak & Kostal.

A challenging final race in a continually dying breeze meant the race was shortened to finish at the second windward. Van der Stroom & Breuking took the final win of the day to slot them into 4th position overnight. Meanwhile Cermak & Kostal followed to leave them in 3rd overall, ahead of Lewis and Marshall, who will go into tomorrow with a narrow lead on Dobry & Dobra.

Boats have returned to shore to be welcomed by music and a BBQ on this calm evening. High fives all round for the Czechs as they peered over the results; a solid day that leaves them hot on the heels of the leading British boat and a discard could change everything! Any battles of the day have been left on the water and sailors are happy to let their hair down in this friendly and welcoming venue. Let's see what tomorrow brings!

Results after Day 1: