J/24 European Championship at Yacht Club du Crouesty Arzon
by Stuart Jardine 15 Jun 2015 08:39 BST
8-12 June 2015
Duncan McCarthy from Poole in Madeliene GBR 4265 has won the J24 European Championship at La Crouesty, Arzon, France and Mike Ingham from the USA retaining the J24 European Open Championship. The 2014 European Champion, Frank Schonfeldt in Henk GER 5412, was 3rd European overall this year. The 2nd Overall team in the European Championship was Daniel Frost from Germany in SG Power Solutions GER 5475.
There were seven on the limit windy but sunny races completed, over the first 3 days, the wind was off the shore fortunately permitting the Race Officer John Coveney to set up excellent courses where he could avoid the very rough seas further off shore. On the last day the wind cut off completely with a flat calm and no racing possible.
The Brazilian and top Italian Teams Bruschetta BRA 37 and La Superba ITA 416 both found the conditions a little too much finishing 8th and 9th with the Irish under 25 team Killcullen helmed by Cillian Dickson finishing a very creditable 10th and taking the under 25's Trophy. The Ladies trophy was won by the all ladies team from Germany in GER 5313 skippered by Ragna Thonnessen in 22nd position.
Duncan McCarthy said, "A great week of windy and well organised racing keeping the fleet on their toes. Wind predominately off the land created challenging shifty conditions at the top of the course. The top of the fleet were all making small adjustments each day to find the extra edge in boat speed, much needed in this quality fleet."
The Yacht Club Crouesty Arzon organised a great event both on and off shore under the leadership of Aorelian Garcia who managed 14th overall in Jaguar FRA 4934.
The 2016 European Championships will be held next year at Plymouth in mid-August, Duncan's win should boost all the UK Class to start working hard to ensure we retain the Trophy and more than equal this year's success.
Full results can be found here.