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RS700 European Championship at Lake Garda - Day 1

by Theo Galyer 23 Jul 2019 07:16 BST 22-26 July 2019
RS700 European Championship at Lake Garda - Day 1 © Jamie Gettings

It was a tricky day's sailing today, the first day of the International Championship for the RS700s. Competitors were grateful for an inner loop but the lack of a leeward gate was strange to some. The course was set almost in the middle of the lake which made it a tough decision to go bang the cliffs as per usual or to head up the middle of the lake. With approximately 12-14 knots from the South and 36 degrees on the sail out it was shaping up to be something special.

Race one clearly showed that heading to the cliffs was the answer with Richard Wadsworth and Matt Carter being the first out that way demonstrating huge gains from being in pressure whilst the likes of Jerry Wales and Milan Hajek who had gone further left were struggling for power. However this was not a foregone conclusion as by the time boats were coming within the vicinity of the windward mark the wind dropped off to sub 10 knots and shifting all over the place.

This theme continued downwind with once again more gains to be had heading over to the cliff side. Unfortunately Matt snapped his main halyard and had to head in for a record breaking pit stop but managed to make it back out fighting fit for the 2nd race. A few questionable capsizes and the wind picking up the race ended up a bit of a formality and with the race officer shortening the race to two laps it was a photo finish between Milan and Jerry, with Colin Dacey placing a solid third.

Race two and the wind had picked back up again with less holes in it. The basic idea from everyone was to start on starboard but to get on to port and hit the cliffs again. Milan had a peachy start alongside Robbie Bell. They were quick to get a tack in and encourage the rest of the fleet that way. Upon hitting the cliffs a few boats were greeted by a yacht trying to get out the way but seriously inconveniencing Milan and Theo Galyer who came off badly trying not to get run down by the fast approaching yacht. After some fairly loud spoken words the race continued. However Robbie had profited highly from the situation and steamed ahead chased by Milan.

A great race for third was had between Richard, Jerry and Theo changing places with Jerry holding more height but similar speed up the second beat. Robbie sailed fast and took the bullet with Milan hot on his tail.

After a busy recovery to shore smiles and stories were exchanged with great anticipation for the three races tomorrow. At this point it is all to play for with a few boats showing good pace.

Results:

No Number Name Points R1 R2
1 CZE 1065 Milan Hajek, YCLP 3,0 1 2
2 GBR 875 Robbie Bell, Snettisham Beach SC 5,0 4 1
3 GBR 1060 Jerry Wales, Windsport 5,0 2 3
4 GBR 1027 Colin Dacey, Snettisham Beach SC 9,0 3 6
5 GBR 720 Richard Wadsworth, Stokes Bay SC 14,0 9 5
6 GBR 1023 Ian Nolan, Snettisham Beach SC 15,0 8 7
7 CZE 1018 Tomas Vastl, tbc 16,0 5 11
8 CZE 988 Michal Kotek, JMJ 16,0 6 10
9 GBR 1063 Theo Galyer, HISC 17,0 13 4
10 GBR 1055 Jonathan Cameron, HISC 20,0 11 9
11 CZE 1036 Jiri Lassig, JMJ 22,0 7 15
12 GBR 860 Jack Napolitano, Snettisham Beach SC 24,0 10 14
13 CZE 905 Vaiclav Brabec, YC Cere 26,0 14 12
14 ESP 781 Michael ten Bokum, Club de Vela Benicasim 30,0 17 13
15 GBR 966 Matt Carter, Lancing SC 31,0 dns 8
16 GBR 982 Roland Smith, HISC/QMSC 33,0 12 21
17 CZE 984 Kiara Houskova, Sokol Dobrichovice 34,0 15 19
18 CZE 788 Jiri Kuthan, YC Liskovec 34,0 18 16
19 CZE 9881 Kamil Kotek, JMJ 39,0 16 dns
20 GBR 1046 Miles Roebuck, Oxford SC 40,0 dns 17
21 CZE 951 Marek Dudak, YC Cere 41,0 dns 18
22 GBR 914 Graham Blake, QMSC 43,0 dns 20

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