Please select your home edition
Edition
V-DRY-X

Volvo 49er, 49erFX, Nacra 17 European Championship 2019 - Day 1: GBR team report

by British Sailing Team Media 13 May 2019 21:38 BST 13-19 May 2019
John Gimson and Anna Burnet - Volvo 49er, 49erFX, Nacra 17 European Championship 2019, Day 1 © Nick Dempsey / RYA

The headlines:

  • Champagne conditions for opening day: wind, waves and sun
  • Three races for 49erFX and Nacra 17 fleets, four for 49ers
  • Nacra 17 pair Ben Saxton and Nikki Boniface open regatta with race win
  • John Gimson and Anna Burnet lead British Nacra 17 charge in seventh
  • Charlotte Dobson and Saskia Tidey (49erFX) post trio of top four finishes including race win to sit fourth overall
  • Dylan Fletcher and Stuart Bithell start as strongest Brits in 49er class: four top six results, including race win, put them sixth
  • More than 400 sailors competing in week-long regatta, which marks crucial stage in run-up to Tokyo 2020

What they said:

    Ben Saxton, 28, Cambridge (Nacra 17): "We started with a bang and got a bullet which was wicked. After that we put two okay races in, a 6th and a 6th. It was great fun out there - great wind, great waves. We had 15 knots, a metre of waves and blue skies. It's really nice competing here in Weymouth, it feels like home. We have spent a lot of time training here and we know it well."

    Charlotte Dobson, 32, Rhu, Scotland (49er FX): "Day one was exciting. We ripped our kite just before the start of race one and had to re-rig, then we had to do a penalty turn on the start line, so it was definitely an eventful start to the regatta, but we managed to hustle well and ended up with three good races including a win. We're pretty happy with that for what felt like far too stressful a day one."

    Stuart Bithell, 32, Rochdale, Greater Manchester (49er): "Day one of the Euros and Weymouth really delivered. We had lovely wind, beautiful waves and came away with a solid day. We're certainly in the mix going into the rest of the week. It was like a washing machine out there, waves going everywhere, but we're used to it. We're expecting a bit more wind tomorrow so let's see what happens."

Find all the results here

Related Articles

Wilson wins Princess Sofia Trophy
As Brits dominate in Palma Sailors Emma Wilson and Micky Beckett spearheaded a massive nine-medal haul - the best in the event's history - at the LA 2028 cycle curtain raiser. Posted on 7 Apr
Princess Sofia Trophy marks start of LA 2028 cycle
British Sailing Team ready for 54th edition of this prestigious regatta The Princess Sofia Trophy regatta will take place in Palma, Mallorca. This year there are four sites making up the event: Arenal (49er, 49erFX, Nacra 17, 470), Ca'n Pastilla (ILCA 6 and 7), Portixol (iQFOiL) and Playa de Palma beach (Formula Kite). Posted on 27 Mar
Medals aplenty in Cadiz
British Sailing Team picked up silverware at the second round of the iQFOiL Games There was a flurry of medals for the British Sailing Team this weekend in the build-up to the Princess Sofia Trophy regatta, the historic season opener. Posted on 17 Mar
Wilson and Watson bring home iQFOiL Games spoils
Gold and bronze for British pair Emma Wilson marked her return to Olympic class racing with a resounding victory at the 2025 season opener, as teammate Islay Watson picked up bronze. Posted on 3 Feb
Emma Wilson launches LA 2028 campaign in Lanzarote
The 2025 iQFOiL Games kicks off in Playa Blanca on Wednesday The 2025 iQFOiL Games kicks off in Playa Blanca on the Canary Island of Lanzarote on Wednesday January 29 and concludes on Sunday February 2. Posted on 28 Jan
Ellie Aldridge made MBE in New Year's Honours
Following her groundbreaking victory in the women's kite competition at Paris 2024 Ellie Aldridge has been made an MBE in the King's New Year's Honours following her groundbreaking victory in the women's kite competition at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Posted on 31 Dec 2024
Aldridge shortlisted for World Sailor of the Year
After becoming the first ever Formula Kite gold medallist in Marseille Team GB's history-making athlete Ellie Aldridge has been shortlisted for the prestigious World Sailor of the Year award. Posted on 21 Oct 2024
Olympian raises £18k by raffling Paris 2024 boat
All the £18,053 raised will go to the Andrew Simpson Foundation Olympic sailor Micky Beckett has raised over £18,000 to help kids get on the water by raffling the boat he raced at Paris 2024. Posted on 14 Oct 2024
Brown and Barton rule the waves in Cagliari
Silver and bronze medals at the iQFOiL Europeans It was double delight for Brits Andy Brown and Matt Barton as they scooped silver and bronze medals at the iQFOiL European Championships. Posted on 12 Oct 2024
iQFOiL Euros kickstart LA cycle for Brits
GBR windfoilers will be out in force in Cagliari The British Sailing Team's windfoilers will be out in force in Cagliari, with six female athletes and five male athletes competing. Posted on 3 Oct 2024