British team win J/24 Europeans at Roompot, Holland
by Nathan Batchelor 23 Jun 2010 21:19 BST
4-11 June 2010
Nathan Batchelor (helm), Ian Brown (cockpit), Nick Malein (spinnaker), Bob Turner (mast) and Alex Adams (bow) win the J/24 Europeans © Team Serco
'Serco' win the J/24 Europeans 2010 by one point! Serco (Headcase) belongs to Bob Turner, the International J/24 Class Chairman and is sponsored by Serco, Quantum Sails UK and English Braids.
5 British boats made the short trip to Roompot, Holland for the Championships, and competed in a well run event by the Dutch organisers. Despite light winds for the majority of the week, the RO managed to complete 11 races. 3 British boats made it into the top 10; Serco (Bob Turner/ Nathan Batchelor), Stouche (Stuart Jardine) and Madeleine (Duncan McCarthy/ Steve Phelps).
The Serco line up consisted of Nathan Batchelor (helm), Ian Brown (cockpit), Nick Malein (spinnaker), Bob Turner (mast) and Alex Adams (bow).
This victory based on teamwork and a mix of youth and experience has been co-ordinated over many years by Bob Turner. Nathan Batchelor is believed to be the youngest helm to have won this event, aged 23.
Serco is a 1990 Rogers (UK) built boat, with the original Proctor/ Selden mast. This goes to show the real longeivity of these boats at the top level, and having come 2nd at the 2008 Worlds shows the boats pedigree.
Nathan Batchelor said on the dock: “We are delighted to win, and have worked hard on a number of areas. Our boat speed was very good - Ian Brown (Quantum Sails UK) did a great job of trimming, combined with Nick + Bob sending us in the right direction!”
New European Champion Bob Turner of ’Serco’: “This was a tough regatta with a very close finish, indeed. But fortunately we won. We have a good team, a combination of experience and youth. Despite the weather, the Race Management and organisers here did a great job. The atmosphere was fantastic during this event. Our next target is the J/24 World Championship in Sweden.”