RC Laser Europeans at Valenciennes, France

RC Laser Europeans at Valenciennes, France © Marc Albiges

RC Laser Europeans at Valenciennes, France © Marc Albiges

RC Laser Europeans at Valenciennes, France © Marc Albiges

The Association France RC Laser has launched the first Europeans RC Laser event at Valenciennes in Northern France, a favourable geographic area to bring a maximum number of skippers from neighbouring countries.

Valenciennes is already known and recognized as club organizer of several national and international sailing radio controlled and RC Laser Events.

French skippers have already attended the last two worlds 2015 in Holland and 2013 in the UK as well as the UK National and therefore missing an rc laser Europeans to allow all of the skippers from other countries join and progress in promoting the class on the national and international level.

In recent years the RC Laser in France has progressed and skippers are growing in number to form large fleets in France national events and now to compete with other nations.

33 competitors from 8 different European nations and even two competitors from Australia came to join us.

All the skippers are passed the boat inspection; CV Valenciennes had installed a podium at the edge of the water to have a better view of the water while Racing.

A team of race Committee and judges was introduced to facilitate the reading of the fleet and monitor the boats on the water, observers in turn were invited to join this team to inform of breaches the rules, an educational way to learn more about the rules.

Competitors were divided into three flights to perform the first preliminary races, to constitute 3 fleets. The first 4 could climb up a fleet and the last 4 were to descend into the lower fleet.

The Championship is launched. The race of the first day was made in fairly strong winds, with competitors using C and D sails. And already the first places to play for, and each doing his best on a windy course. With 6 races completed (18 flights),Dave Fowler (GBR) had gained 4 wins, Marcel Bleeker (NED) one win, and Ulf Neumann (SWE) one win.

The second day was easier because the wind is moderated, with B sails present on the water. Now the skippers are beginning to get feelings for the wind and its shifts, making the racing tighter. With only 5.33 races (16 flights) sailed, the day was brought to a close, Tjakko Keizer (NED & Current World Champion) 2 wins, Marcel Bleeker (NED) 1 win, Taco Faber (NED) 1 win, and Adrian Tomlinson (GBR) 1 win.

A meeting of the international RC Laser was Held after the days racing at the clubhouse in order to pass information and communicate about upcoming events as well as the 2017 worlds in Australia, and the 2018 Europeans in Germany. Barbecue was had, closing the day, with all the skippers' taking the glass of friendship.

The last day races were in a very light and changing wind, with the top 3 places separated by 1 point and countback the pressure was on. Some skippers reveled in the light winds but had others struggling to navigate a capricious wind. Points between competitors are very close and it is only in the last race that everything plays out. Being attentive to the slightest changes in wind, a few helms reveled in the conditions. But with the wind faltering, the race Committee called it a day, with only 2 races sailed(6 flights), with wins going to Christel Cracco (BEL) and Dave Fowler(GBR).

The Championship ends, all the competitors take a look on the Bulletin Board to analyze their final position, some satisfied with their performance and others have simply attend their first RC Laser Europeans.

RC Laser Europeans at Valenciennes, France - photo © Marc Albiges

A beautiful spectacle, for all to see, by the RC Lasers throughout this Championship pleasant sailing and friendly atmosphere surrounded by very good skippers in a positive and well framed by talented judges.

Thanks to the CV Valenciennes, volunteers, judges and partners as well as the Asso France RC Laser and the International class without forgetting all the racers and escorts who have made this Championship "the feast of the RC Laser".

The prize are presented, and everyone leaves with a "sail" signed by the skippers and some of the partners and benefactors. Beautiful podium, and thanks to all for having responded to applaud the first female, the first junior, and without forgetting the skipper voted, top for fair play.

Bravo to you.

Overall Results:

RC Laser Europeans at Valenciennes, France - photo © Marc Albiges