Saxton and Boniface Ride Light Air Roll to Pole Position
With 6 boats all within 12 points of the gold medal, this Nacra 17 medal race was always going to be a difficult one to predict and a big battle on the water for all teams involved.
One postponed start meant the nerves and anticipation from all the sailors was rising whilst the wind swung from a steady South Westerly 5-6kts to a very shifty and patchy Northerly 4-6kt breeze. After an hour waiting around on the water the 10 boat medal race fleet finally got underway in some very light and difficult conditions.
Staying true to form in the light winds over the last few days it was Ben Saxton and Nikki Boniface who dominated the race from start to finish, coming off the middle of the line and managing to use their boat speed to control most of the fleet around them – everyone seemed keen on the left hand side of the track. A commanding lead at the top mark and keeping their cool throughout 3 Paris 2024 Equipment voted in:
Our leaders going into the day Ruggero Tita and Caterina Banti (ITA) seemed to falter in their start, struggling to get off the line and being very heavily punished for a slow tack out in these light airs. Never managing to recover and coming in 9th meant it was up to the rest of the medal contenders to pounce – and pounce they did. John Gimson/Anna Burnett (GBR) headed intot he day in 3rd spot and with a 3rd place in the medal race pulled up into silver medal position over all. A fantastic result for this pair who have made significant strides this winter training down in South America with the current Olympic Champions Santi Lange/Cecilia Carranza (ARG).
The battle for bronze was a hard fought fight from Denmark’s Lin Cenholt and CP Lubeck battling past a couple of boats around the race course to take 4th in the race and sneak just in front of Tita/Banti for 3rd place over all.
An incredible weeks racing and a fantastic job by all the sailors here this week. Toughing it out through every type of wind condition from big wind and waves at the start of the week; to much lighter, flatter conditions towards the end. A real all round venue here at Weymouth and Portland and a great event put on by the club, sponsors and volunteers – Thank you all!
Regatta information
Schedule:
Wednesday 8 May 1700 Beach Clean
Monday 13 May 1055 Qualifying Races
Tuesday 14 May 1055 Qualifying Races
Wednesday 15 May 1055 Qualifying Races
Thursday 16 May 1055 Fleet Races
Friday 17 May 1055 Fleet Races
Saturday 18 May 1055 Fleet Races
Sunday 19 May 0955 Fleet Races
1500 Medal Races
TBC Prize giving
Photography:
49er & 49erFX – https://49er.org/event/2019-european-championship/#photos
Nacra 17 – https://old.nacra17.org/events/2019-european-championship-2/#photos
Live Broadcast:
- From May 16-19 a live show including coverage of the racing will be broadcast via the 49er class Youtube channel and the Nacra 17 class Youtube channel. The presenters are Genny Tulloch, Andy Rice, Stevie Morrison, and Hannah Mills.
1. 49er Sailing – Gold Fleet Day 1 – 2019 Volvo European Championship
URL https://youtu.be/b3fsnwNGyqQ
2. 49er Sailing – Gold Fleet Day 2 – 2019 Volvo European Championship
URL https://youtu.be/7pxYk7L_Q54
3. 49er Sailing – Gold Fleet Day 3 – 2019 Volvo European Championship
URL https://youtu.be/OGd_TQC3qEY
4. 49er Sailing – Gold Fleet Day 4 – 2019 Volvo European Championship
URL https://youtu.be/rxrV_BLsZ_k
5. 49er Sailing – Medal Races – 2019 Volvo European Championship
URL https://youtu.be/XBxlZofvxPc
Results:
Results will be posted race by race, as they happen
