ToPark J/24 Europeans on Lake Balaton, Hungary - Day 2

An impromptu rowing race is held on day two of the J/24 Europeans in Hungary © Event Media

An impromptu rowing race is held on day two of the J/24 Europeans in Hungary © Event Media

Racing finally gets underway on day two of the J/24 Europeans in Hungary © Event Media

On day two of the ToPark J/24 Europeans on Lake Balaton, the first races were finally possible as a light wind filled in for long enough to hold two races.

During the morning an impromptu rowing race was held with teams of three from each of the seven nations rowing Optimists around a course laid by the race committee inside the harbour. Teams used whatever implements they could get their hands on as oars, the British team choosing two coal shovels and a broom. Each nation had to carry their national flag around the course with them. The race was not without incident as the Hungarian team sunk while rounding the first mark and the British team were disqualified by the international jury for stealing the German flag as the teams travelled in opposite directions. In the end the German team won the race with the Italians second and the Swedes third.

At just after midday, the postponement flag was dropped as a light breeze from the South filled in across the lake. An hour later the real racing started in earnest. After a general recall the black flag was raised and the Europeans Championships was underway. Fast out of the blocks were the Italian team of Pietro Diamanti on ITA-212 who lead from start to finish. Peer Kock’s German team on GER-9230 finished second with the evergreen Stuart Jardine on ‘Team Henri-Lloyd’ third.

The wind had remained remarkably consistent throughout the first race but as the day wore on it was becoming more erratic. The race committee sent the ribs to re-lay the course as the wind swung round to the West and sent the second race away. The left hand side of the beat paid with Greg Wilcox helming the German ‘Team Rotoman’ leading around the windward mark. The wind continued to swing around to the East during the second lap with those teams who went left hung out to dry on the beat. Rotoman held their lead to the finish with some resorting to using genoas on the final run.

After the first day, Peer Kock’s ‘Seglershop’ are leading with ‘Team Rotoman’ second – a great day for the German teams. Hungarian teams fill the next two positions. Consistency is proving a sought after commodity.

Today, once again, the postponement flag is up and there is very little sign that a breeze will fill in. There is a real danger that we won’t complete enough races to constitute a series.

Shoreside the Hungarian hospitality and organisation has been fantastic. Film crews have been out on the water and had videos of the day’s racing (both rowing and sailing) for everyone to watch on the big screen in the evening. Goulash and beer has been in plentiful supply – we certainly aren’t going to go home from this event with empty stomachs! I think I might go vegetarian for a couple of weeks when I get home though.

Results after Day 2: (2 races)