2018 International 6 Metre European Championship in La Trinite Sur Mer - Day 1
by Fiona Brown 4 Sep 2018 06:22 BST
3-7 September 2018
2018 International 6 Metre European Championship - Day 1 © Fiona Brown
Glorious sunshine and light airs were the order of the day for the opening two races of the International 6 Metre European Championship in La Trinite Sur Mer on Monday 3 September. As the 38 boats from 10 nations came to the race area there was a light but steady north easterly blowing and the Race Committee was able to get the first or the two planned races underway promptly.
Whilst initially the wind was relatively steady, it wasn't long before the battle between the sea and land breezes began in earnest making conditions for both the competitors and the race committee somewhat challenging. The early north easterly just about held up for the first race, but the committee then had to delay the second start for a while as the sea breeze tried to fill in. Eventually the north easterly regained control and the committee got race two underway.
The Open Division were somewhat over eager to get proceedings underway for the first race and as a results Beat Furrer in Temptation 3, Jamie Hilton racing Matt Brook's Scoundrel, Claus Henningsson's Notorious and Paul Wealick's Max'Inux were all disqualified for being on course side at the start. All four of these boats appeared to do well on the water, but it was Fredrick Dahlman's Nivola from Switzerland helmed by Reinhard Suhner who sailed superbly to win by a two minute forty seven second margin. Peter Harrison's St Francis IX, being helmed by Andy Beadsworth, ultimately took second place with fellow Brit Robin Richardson sailing St Kitts third and Patrick Monteiro de Barros from Portugal aboard Seljm fourth.
The Classics has obviously learnt from watching their younger sisters and the entire fleet managed to start on the correct side of the line. Eric Jespersen at the helm of Rainer Muller's Llanoria, a stunning 1948 Sparkman & Stephens design and build which has won Olympic Gold twice, the One Ton Cup twice and the legendary Seawanhaka Cup twice, sailed a beautiful race to win by a minute exactly from His Majesty King Juan Carlos's Bribon Gallant with Violetta Alvarez's recently restored Charles Nicholson designed 1938 Erica third.
As the fleet came to the end of the first race the wind began to shut down and there was a postponement while the committee reviewed the situation. After a short wait the north easterly got the better of the sea breeze again and race two was underway.
In the Open Division the fleet pulled the trigger a little early again and a number of boats including Paul Smith's Valhalla, helmed by Rob Smith, had to return and start again. Claes Henningsson's Notorious was determined to correct her race one OCS error and took an early lead, going on to win by just over a minute from Peter Durr and Reiner Muller's Junior. Patrick Monteiro de Barros from Portugal took third place aboard Seljm. As the open division boats came towards the finish line the wind dropped off almost completely leaving them struggling to make the finish as the ebbing tide took the unwary past it. Whilst the first few boats successfully judged their final approach gybe, others were not as lucky and struggled to make it in with Marin Pinson's Warhorse ultimately failing to cross within the time limit.
As the Open Division struggled up ahead, the Classic were bringing new breeze down with them and had the advantage of seeing what had happened to those in front. Llanoria won the second Classic Division race by a minute and nineteen seconds. Rainer Muller's Fife designed Saskia, being helmed by Don Martin, took second place with Bribon Gallant third.
In the overall standings the Open Division is now led by three points by Portugal's Patrick Monteiro de Barros' Seljm. Behind them three boats are tied on ten points for second to fourth place. After their race one victory, Reinhard Suhner and Nivola came ninth in race two, which is sufficient to give them second on count back. Peter Durr and the Junior crew lie third with an eighth and second, and with a six, four scoreline Jane Ann helmed by Jali Makila takes fourth on count-back.
Unsurprisingly Eric Jespersen and Llanoria lead the Classic Division with a pair or race wins. His Majesty King Juan Carlos and Bribon Gallant are lying second overall with Violetta Alvarez and Erica in third and two points clear of fourth placed Don Martin and Saskia.
After racing the crews were invited by members of the local 6 Metre community to join them for an "At Home" evening at their houses around the town of La Trinite Sur Mer - a gesture of generous hospitality that was much appreciated by all those who have travelled to attend the regatta.
Tuesday's second day of racing promises a little more wind in the morning with a north easterly or 12 to 15 knots, however, it is due to drop again in the afternoon so everyone will be hoping that the two planned races can be completed before it starts to die. The regatta continues until Friday 7 September. Two windward leeward races a day are scheduled until Thursday 6 September with Friday 7 September being a reserve day.
Further information about the regatta can be found at www.6mr-european2018.fr
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