29er Eurocup at Fraglia Vela Riva, Lake Garda, Italy

Becky Diamond and Fiona Hampshire during the 29er Eurocup on Lake Garda © Steve Irish

Bleddyn Mon and Tom Humphries win the 29er Eurocup on Lake Garda © Steve Irish

British sailors dominate at final 29er Eurocup of 2008

The seventh and final Eurocup of the 2008 29er calendar took place from October 30th – November 2nd at Fraglia Vela Riva, Lake Garda, Italy, and attracted 62 competitors from 11 different Nations. With the increasing popularity of the 29er in Europe, where more and more countries are selecting it as their Youth development class, and a total of 222 different helms taking part in the Eurocup series, this event was to be a hard fought contest. 3 British pairs, together with coach Steve Irish, made the trip through Europe to compete in what was to be a challenging but enjoyable event.

Bitterly cold Northerly winds and driving rain were to be a dominant feature of the event, and after a late launch on the first day, the fleet were eventually sent back ashore with no racing as conditions deteriorated.

Day 2 brought similar cold and wet conditions, but in an 18 knot northerly, 3 races were completed. Unusually for the 29ers, the fleet raced as one which caused some problems on a relatively short start line, and made for spectacular and exciting racing. The British team revelled in the conditions, and at the end of day one Bleddyn Mon and Tom Humphries (current UK National Champions) were in pole position counting 1,2,1, Max Richardson and Alex Groves (current Youth World Champions) were in 4th with 3,8,5, and Becky Diamond and Fiona Hampshire (current UK Ladies’ Champions) were 8th overall and holding off the next all girl pairing from Denmark Ide Marie Baard Nielsen and Marie Olsen Thusgaard who were 9th.

There was a promising start to day 3 with the rain finally moving on (probably to the UK!) and the sun shining although the temperature was still cold. The fleet launched for a 12.00 start. The first race started in a good 12 knot Northerly, but unfortunately by the time the fleet approached the windward mark, the Southerly had cancelled it out. The race was abandoned. The Southerly tried to establish itself, and after several recalled starts, another race was off. With the leaders in spitting distance of the finish the wind again died, the race was abandoned and the fleet sent ashore.

With only 3 races completed in the first 3 days of the event, it was an early morning for the 62 competitors on day 4, rigging their boats in the freezing mountain air before daylight with the first start at 8.30am. The sun rose, and a nice 12 knot breeze was blowing justifying the early rise. 4 races were completed before the breeze died away. The British trio dominated the day not only winning every race but with at least 2 of the 3 of them finishing in the top 3. Only Kevin Fischer and Glenn Gouron of France and Augusto Poropat and Lorenzo Franceschini of Italy were able to split them. Bleddyn Mon & Tom Humphries were convincing winners of the event counting 5 1sts and discarding a 3rd. Max Richardson & Alex Groves were 3rd and Becky Diamond & Fiona Hampshire raised their game to finish 5th and 1st girl team. This result also placed the girls 5th overall in the Eurocup series for 2008.

Overall Results: