29er European Championships at Denia, Spain - Overall

Huw Humpreys & Max Todd win the 2006 29er European Championships at Denia, Spain © RCND

In between Valencia and Alacante on the Mediterranean coast of Spain Denia was the venue for the 2006 29er European Championship. Club Nautico Denia put on an excellent event both on and off the water. Local sponsor CCTV helped provide the prizes and food for both before and after sailing. The race team new the weather patterns well and were able to hold all the races scheduled by careful timing of starts. Typically the light sea breeze would clock from the North then after lunch it would build and go round to the south and continue to increase all afternoon into a good 20 knot thriller.

Day 1:

After the first day of racing the British team filled the top places and looked like dominating the championship. Huw Humphrey's and Max Todd from Wales headed up the day with a 1st and two 2nds, Dylan Fletcher and Rob Partridge lie in 2nd with Phil Walker and Matt Gotrel 3rd, Whilst the sun, wind and water made great sailing the heat took a few casualties and the black flag a few more.

Day 2:

On day 2 there was enough of the first sea breeze to get in 2 light wind races before the fleet were sent home to wait all day for 2 more races in the evening – it was very strange seeing the fleet sail home in the sunset. The light wind earlier in the day brought a few different faces to the front with Oscar McVeigh & John Mather winning the first race of the day. Humpreys & Todd continued their winning ways except for an OCS. A real battle was developing for 2nd place between Fletcher & Partridge and Maxfield & Maclean Once again an over keen fleet brought on a number of premature starters finding they did not have results at the end of the day.

Day 3:

After waiting all day a patient Race committee and sailors finally set off in the late afternoon into perfect sailing and racing conditions. The classic sea breeze filled in and the fleet were again treated to spectacular sailing and fantastic racing.

Huw Humphreys and Max Todd continued to extend their lead in the championship with some steady and very confident sailing and built a comfortable points lead over Maxfield & Mclean and Dylan Fletcher & Rob Partridge who failed to finish the 10th race through a broken halyard. The rest of the results continued to stay wide open with teams having to count black flags or dnfs through various accidents.

It was a good day for the British all girl team of Hannah Diamond & Olivia Pettit who won the first race of the day and a very good day for Spain - Adriana Romano and Pablo Arandia won the last race of the day by a comfortable margin crossing the line to a huge cheer from the spectator boats.

Day 4:

With the wind in a different direction the fleet were treated to big waves and some big rides. Huw Humpreys & Max Todd showed that they can win in all conditions with a 1,1, 2, Once again there were many casualties from the start line with a number of teams finding they has an OCS after the finish. Going into the last day The battle was now on for 2nd place between Henry Maxfield & Dicken Maclean and Dylan Fletcher & Rob Partridge who now have 5 points separating them. First all girl team at this stage is Hannah Diamond & Olivia Pettit lying in 10th while the other girl helms - Sophie White crewed by Andy Fielder and Charlotte Odell crewed by Dave Hall are on equal points at 8th and 9th.

Day 5:

All Humpreys and Todd had to do on the last day was virtually finish one of the 2 races, They finished in style by winning the first race of the day and giving themselves the title of European Champions with a 19 point lead over runners up Fletcher & Partridge. They won the very last race securing 2nd overall leaving Maxfield & Maclean in 3rd followed by the very steady team of Will Tremlow & Peter Perera.

Overall Results: