Allen RS Feva Europeans at Brenzone, Lake Garda - Overall

An early start was promised and the entire fleet, save perhaps Owen & Charlie and maybe Robert and James, whooped an involuntary hallelua when they woke up and saw the Peler ripping in. First start was delayed due to the fierceness of the Peler and the committe decided on safety grounds to launch only the Gold to begin with to test the waters - boom boom.

Given that the Silver Fleet contained a fair few heavy airs specialists who hadn't made the Gold fleet they were chomping at the bit. Try calming them down when there is such a great breeze blowing!

The racing was indeed adrenaline pumping and highly exciting with a number of sailors getting so excited that they sailed the wrong course. Tant pis as the French say...

How did they get on? Gold fleet who sailed 3 races straight whilst the Silver got down to the action on a second start after the Gold started their second. The Silver got their third in after Gold went ashore.

Owen Bowerman/Charlie Darling who entered the last day with a 10 point lead found the conditions seriously tough and faded to 4th overall. Given that they are both 12, yes twelve, they nearly carried it off and will no doubt at all do so at some future point. Charlie is a golden nugget in the shaping and Owen really fell on his feet there to enable his talent to be able to shine as well.

That all left the opportunity open for the challegers to take the choccies. Ollie Cooper/Callum Ellis stepped up to the plate after a very challenging week. THey knocked in a 1,7,5 which was just enough to edge it from Alice Kent/Lucy Childs who piled in with 5,1,13. The 13 became a discard and ended the run of all European Champions being female. Awesome effort though, especially as their Oakham School colleagues Cathy Lear/Francine Counsell came 14th. Had there been a school prize I know where it would have gone... The podium was completed by Conor Lyden/Peter Stokes from Ireland who darned near stole the show but for an unexpected couple of discards on the last day.

As said before Owen and Charlie came 4th whilst the last prize was picked uip by a very good Italian combo - Alessio Bellico /Mattia Bellico. The raminder of the top ten were Jack Hawkins/Chris Thomas in 6th, Nicolo Scarpa/ Bernadatta Favaro in 7th, Frederika Zamboni/ Delia Da Mosto in 8th, Ruth/Tess Allan in 9th and Harry Derbyshire/Charlie Warren in 10th.

The European LadiesChampions Title went to Alice Kent/Lucy Childs, 2nd Frederika Zamboni/ Delia Da Mosto and 3rd Ruth/Tess Allan.

The Junior Title was won unsurprisingly by Owen Bowerman/Charlie Darling, 2nd Robert/Emma Loveridge and 3rd Valentina Balbi/ Elena Brambilla.

Debbie and Tommy Darling cleaned the Family title up while Swedes Thomas and Oliver Uziel took 2nd. What a very nice family and I personally look forward to seeing them next year at Carnac! I gather that perhaps Oliver will eb helming there...

In the Silver Fleet Amanda Hallgren/Kevin Olsson cleaned up despite a tough final day. They are a hugely impressive duo who are multi class talented and will appear everywhere you look. Their area of Sweden looks to be well set for ongoing success. Tiny Laurence Gibbons sailing with mighty Henry Forward got flying on the final day to seal second from Brendan Lyden and Marc Cudmore. These Irish boys just kept the equally flying Hugo Jones -Warner and James Poyner at bay the latter finishing with a cool 1,2! Completing the SIlver Fleet Prize table were Italians Filippo Mazzantini and Alvise Docetta.

First Danes were Jeppe Christensen and Niels Justesen in the SIlver Fleet whilst top Dutch boat were Maxime Jonker and Dewi Couvert who endured a mare of a last day in the Gold Fleet fading to 15th overall.

Well, what a brilliant event with a great deal of education going on. Very tricky conditions with a fair breeze over a wide range of wind conditions but never less than a 2 and not exceeding gusts of a big 5 on the final day. The final day proved to be a stern test for the sponsors fittings and they were right up to the mark with not a failure reported . Allens performance sailing fittings truly did us proud then in more ways than one! Club Acquafresca is truly on the map and Italy is just the loveliest of places to come to. Still can't wait for Carnac same time next year though for the worlds!