J80 European Championship at Club Náutico El Balís - Overall
by Neus Jordi 4 Jul 2014 20:15 BST
28 June - 4 July 2014
Quentin Delapierre, who is only 23 years old, led "EV Cataschool" to the J80 European crown. Despite being the first year in which this French crew sailed in this class, they won the continental title, dominating the water today under heavy winds. In a spectacular last-day performance, the French team, which started today's action third overall, recorded two first places and one second not only claiming the overall championship, but also winning the junior title. "EV Cataschool" finished two points ahead of Simon Moriceau's "Interface concept", who also gave France the event's second place thanks to wrapping up the action with a 10th, a second and a seventh place.
We witnessed a thrilling last day of action at Club Náutico El Balís' waterfront. The 52 boats from 10 different countries sailed under a speed of 15 knot-Southwest winds which kept increasing until reaching 25 knots in the last of the three races staged today.
The podium was completed by Catalan team "Factor Energia", skippered by José María van der Ploeg, who topped the planet in the 2012 J80 world championship and finished second in 2011. "Factor Energía", second after yesterday's action, had a tough start, being disqualified of today's first race after receiving a black flag for an early start. In the next race, the Catalan team finished ninth and registered a fifth place in the last race of the event to secure the overall third place at its own waters of Club Nautico El Balis, 18 points behind second place.
Carlos Martinez' "Movistar", third place at the European 2010 championship, was part of the medal race battle until the end of the event, finishing fourth only five points behind "Factor Energía". "Movistar" was temporary on the podium after winning today's first race, but then was disqualified in the second race, getting a black flag because of an early start, and finished eighth in the last race of the event to settle for fourth place overall.
"Bribón Movistar" of Marc de Antonio and Sofía Bertrand was fifth after finishing today in third, fourth and 10th place, while "New Territories", commanded by current world champion Hugo Rocha, had to settle for sixth overall, recording on the last day of the event a fourth-place finish followed by a fifth and a second.
Quentin Delapierre, "EV Cataschool", new J80 European champion, said, "It was a very tough day, but everything worked out great. We had three excellent races with very good starts that allowed us to take the lead early. Starting the day in third position and finishing as European champions is great. I am very happy with my crew. It was more a team effort than an individual accomplishment. Winning the championship in our first year on this class is sensational. We dedicate this win to our partners and everybody who has supported us".
The J80 European championship is organized by CN El Balís, the Spanish and Catalan federations and the J80 Spanish and international associations with the support of the Secretary General of Sports of the Catalan Government, the City Hall of Sant Andreu de Llavaneres and Spain's Sports Council.
www.j80europeans.cnelbalis.com