Please select your home edition
Edition
Noble Marine 2022 YY - LEADERBOARD

2019 RS:X European & Youth European Championships and Open Trophy - Day 4

by Bas Edmonds 13 Apr 2019 10:36 BST 8-13 April 2019
2019 RS:X European & Youth European Championships and Open Trophy - Day 4 © Jesus Renedo / Sailing Energy / CNA

The penultimate day of the RS:X Europeans and Youth Europeans, being held at Mallorca, Spain, was very much a case of déjà vu as the 333 expectant competitors turned up at the Club Nautica Arenal this morning. Another warm sunny day, sandy beach and turquoise blue waters, with just the key ingredient of wind missing!

However, in the true spirit of déjà vu, at midday, the wind started to fill in as per the previous three days and about an hour later, the fleets were on the water ready to race. Déjà vu played the final card of the day in providing what can only be described as a "crazy wind" which played havoc with nerves of the sailors, coaches and the race officials - again!

The Men's gold fleet got three races onto the scoreboard today and it was all change at the top. Overnight leader, Louis Giard from France had what can only be described as a day to forget. Having won the opening race of the day which consolidated his lead, Giard then scored a 22nd and a 26th in the following two races to drop down to fourth overall. The benefactor of Giard's misfortune was Dutchman Kiran Badloe who was the fleets most consistent performer of the day with a 2, 2, 7. Badloe is a comfortable 13 points clear of the reigning World and Olympic Champion, Dorian van Rijssleberge and has assured himself of a gold or silver medal this week - colour to be determined tomorrow.

Both van Rijsselberge and Badloe were first and second in the 2018 World Championships, where Giard came third. Badloe has the opportunity to turn the tables and stand above van Rijsselberge, but for this Dutch pairing its more than about winning. Badloe, "It doesn't get much closer than we are, we are best friends and we are sharing what we love doing around the world. I'd love to be on the top step of the podium as would Dorian, but we both know it's a competition and we are both going to give it our best but I hope I am on the top tomorrow. It's not so much of a rivalry, it's more like racing against your mate and I would much rather beat my mate than a rival."

Whilst van Rijsselberge could technically take gold from Badloe, he also could technically lose the silver with the French duo of Thomas Goyard in third and Louis Giard in fourth with veteran Byron Kokkalanis also in with a chance of a medal. A four-way battle for two medals.

In the Women's gold fleet, Yunxiu Lu (China) still holds a slender 7 point lead over Charline Picon (France) with Lilian de Geus (Netherlands) two points further back. Emma Wilson from Great Britain is in fourth and the three medals will be decided by these four sailors. At the 2018 World Championships, it was de Geus who got the better of Picon, the Olympic Champion. Lu is clearly out to spoil the party.

Whilst Wilson has the Under 21 title secured, she is aiming to repeat her bronze medal from 2018. Wilson on the racing today, "I've been out here since February training as it's a good winter base. The racing today was tricky, likes it been all week. We had 10-12 knots but it was very gusty and shifty, like its been all week. I'd love to repeat my medal from last year but there are some really strong girls in front of me so it's going to be tough but I'll just do my best."

In the Youth Men gold fleet, there are again four sailors that are capable of winning a medal come sun down tomorrow. France's Fabien Pianazza starts tomorrow in pole position with 21 points and a three-point lead over Nicolo Renna (Italy). Renna had been on blistering form going into today's racing but slowed slightly today to give Pianazza a couple more points advantage. Vardimon Tomer (Israel) is three points further back in third and has Yun Pouliquen (France) just a point behind. Mathematically, the medals could go to any combination of three of these sailors and it will be fascinating to see how the tactics roll out as the race unfolds.

In the Under 21 fleet, Israels Daniel Basik Tashtash has sailed a hugely impressive regatta to secure the title and make the medal race. This young competitor still has another two years in the Under 17 fleet and is certainly a future Youth European champion.

The Youth Women gold fleet there are six different sailors that could take a medal home in what is going to be another tight contest. Heloise Macquaert from France scored 3, 4, 2 to hold a two-point lead over Naama Gazit of Israel who scored 1, 1, 7. Another Israeli Linoy Geva is in third place 11 points back with Cypriot Natasa Lappa on equal points with Geva.

Manon Pianazza from France scored the best results of the day with 2, 2, 3 and moves into the medal, into 9th place and leads the Under 17 fleet. Pianazza joins her brother in securing a medal at these championships to make it a family success story for the week.

Medal races are scheduled to start at 12:00 tomorrow.

Results will be available when race commences here: www.rsxclass.org/europeans2019

Related Articles

2025 Youth Sailing Worlds heads to Portugal
Scheduled to take place from 12 to 20 December at Vilamoura Sailing World Sailing has selected the Portuguese venue of Vilamoura Sailing to host the 2025 Youth Sailing World Championships. Posted on 2 Dec 2024
Italy celebrate week of dominance on home waters
Italy retained their Nations Trophy in style Italy retained their Nations Trophy in style as a tremendous week at the Youth Sailing World Championships 2024 was capped off with closing ceremony celebrations in Riva. Posted on 20 Jul 2024
Youth Sailing World Championships overall
Brazilian kite win on day of dominance for Italy Brazil's Lucas Pes Fonseca sealed the men's Formula Kite title on a day otherwise dominated by Italians as 10 more Youth Sailing World Championships winners were crowned. Posted on 19 Jul 2024
Youth Sailing World Championships day 4
Greek duo claim first title Danai Giannouli and Iakovina Kerkezou wrote themselves into the Youth Sailing World Championships history books by claiming a maiden crown at the event on Lake Garda. Posted on 18 Jul 2024
The oldest video footage of windsurfing
Early square boards with diamond-shaped rigs which the sailor leaned back against! We delve into the past, and round-up all videos which show windsurfers. There is even footage of the early square boards with diamond-shaped rigs which the sailor leaned back against. Posted on 26 May 2024
British Sailing Team at 2023 Youth Sailing Worlds
We caught up with the GBR sailors and riders to hear about their experiences We caught up with the GBR sailors and riders to hear about their experiences from the exhilarating 52nd edition of the 2023 Youth Sailing World Championships in Armação dos Buzios, Brazil. Posted on 19 Dec 2023
2023 Youth Sailing Worlds overall
Brazilian duo claim gold to follow in footsteps of Grael and Kunze Joana Faulhaber Tostes Antunes Gonçalves and Gabriela Vassel (BRA) sealed 420 female gold on home water as champions were decided at the Youth Sailing World Championships. Posted on 15 Dec 2023
2023 Youth Sailing Worlds Day 4
Italian duo first to claim victory Quan Cardi and Mattia Tognocchi were the first sailors to secure their place at the top of the podium at the Youth Sailing World Championships, as they gained an unassailable lead in the 420 male/mixed class. Posted on 15 Dec 2023
2023 Youth Sailing Worlds Day 3
Italians lead the charge It was a day of change at the top of the standings across the Youth Sailing World Championships, as new leaders emerged after a third day of racing. Posted on 14 Dec 2023
2023 Youth Sailing Worlds Day 2
Stunning start by Singapore's Maeder in the Formula Kite Max Maeder (SGP) made a stunning start to the Formula Kite male competition at the Youth Sailing World Championships, winning all six races to take a commanding lead after the first day of racing. Posted on 13 Dec 2023