RS Feva Crown Cup - Day 1

RS Feva Crown Cup day 1 © www.paya-photo.com

Volleyball during the RS Feva Crown Cup © www.paya-photo.com

Sailors arrived this morning buzzing after an evening of beach volleyball and drinks that concluded a packed day of coaching and practice racing yesterday. The sun was poking through the clouds and a light breeze covered the beautiful Lake Lipno of the Czech Republic.

After a buffet breakfast in the hall and some last minute bimbling, boats set out to the race area and right on cue, typical of recent weather in the area, the rain arrived. The light and unstable breeze resulting from the rain clouds meant the race had to be abandoned and a short wait ensued. A start to the regatta reminiscent of that of the RS Feva Europeans held just last month!

Before long, the rain had eased and the breeze had stabilised enough to get another race underway. Light and shifty conditions saw Jack Lewis and Lucas Marshall (GBR) leading the way ahead of local Czech team, Jakob Dobry and Tereza Dobra and Lithuanian sailors, Simonas Jersovas and Vejas Strelciunas. With more stable breeze forecast for the afternoon, sailors were sent to shore for a civilised lunch break before racing resumed.

The afternoon brought a different ball game altogether with gusts of over 18 knots coming down the course. A few boats tripped up on boat handling, while others enjoyed an opportunity to grunt their way around the course. Czech team Jaroslav Cermak and Petr Kostal were among those thriving and took a bullet for the race while all female team, Lucie Keblova and Aneta Palenickova (CZE) followed closely in 2nd ahead of teammates Dobry/Dobra.

Relentless rain meant the wind remained unstable and big shifts on the course forced the committee to abandon the final race of the day. Boats were sent in hoping for better weather and more reliable wind tomorrow.

Locals, Cermak/Kostal lead the charge after day 1, only ahead of teammates Dobry/Debra on tiebreak. Meanwhile British team, Lewis/Marshall are hot on their heels in 3rd going into day 2. The points are close with only 2 points separating the top 5 boats, and with 3 nations in those top spots. Tomorrow's a new day and it's all to play for. In the meantime the sun looks to be finally making an appearance right on time for sailors to switch off and enjoy a sociable evening!

Results after day 1: