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12 Jun 2009

Tomorrow’s Racing Will Decide On Title Challengers In Medal Race

© Organizing Committee

2009 Open 470 Class European Championships for Men/Mixed and Women
5-14 June, Lake Traunsee - Austria

Only the men’s 470 gold fleet completed one race today at the Open 470 European Championships for Men/Mixed and Women, with a start in heavy airs, and a finish in a flat patch. The women’s 470 event got no further today than three general recalls before the wind conditions reached the lowest limits for racing.. Sime Fantela and Igor Marenic from Croatia win back their leading position In the 470 men’s event, however they see strong competition for the medal race closing in fast. Giulia Conti and Giovanna Micol from Italy hold their overnight lead from yesterday.

Like the last four days, sailors enjoyed their morning rest ashore and on the water before wind came up. This time a little longer because only at around 15:30, a strong 24 knots breeze established promising conditions for perfect racing and a lot of action.

The women’s fleet was the first to receive the starting signal. The fleet showed nervous and aggressive, the women’s crews were eager to get a good start, knowing that the final phase of the championship had got in sight. The situation resulted in a general recall, and the Race Management decided to get the men’s gold fleet started. The men, having their first race in the final series, and seventh in total, got away without problems. Fortunately, while during the race the wind conditions got worse by the minute.

The women’s fleet got a new starting attempt twice, both resulting in a general recall. The wind started to turn direction by 180 degrees, and for the Race Committee this was enough reason to concentrate on finalizing the ongoing men’s racing in the gold fleet, and send the men’s silver and women’s fleet back ashore. The finishing gold fleet got into a flat patch, to have a nerve-racking competition on the last few meters, finally with Sven Coster and Kalle Coster (NED) crossing the finish line in first position. Although they drowned into a 20th overall position just two days ago, they climb back into a 5th overnight. The #1 on the ISAF World Rankings and silver medalists at last year’s 470 European Championship are back in the race for gold at this year’s edition of the 470 Europeans.

Sime Fantela and Igor Marenic (CRO) take back the lead from Harada Ryunosuke Yoshida Yugo (JPN). Both crews have 37 points.

“After the two bad results of yesterday, we were able to concentrate again and could sail a great race today. Unfortunately, at the end we were unlucky with the dropping wind, losing five positions on the last 100 meters. However when you look at the result list, most of our direct opponents made mistakes today, what gives us a good advantage for the final two days. We now want to continue like this and then we will see what comes out on Sunday.” Sime Fantela said

Lucas Zellmer and Heiko Seelig from Germany have moved up slowly during the event, and now maintain a steady position on third place overall since yesterday, only three points below the leading Croates. Germany’s best performing men’s 470 crew within the last two Olympic Quadrennia didn’t make remarkable results the last few years, but with their experience, and performance in this Championship sofar, there may be a prosperous future for them within this Olympic Quadrennium. In today’s race, they lost six positions in the heavy battle taking place in the last few meters.

” There are races where you get the necessary puff at the right moment, and then there are days like today, when you lose a possible lead in the last few seconds. We are doing quite well this week and we have a good feeling for the coming two days. Our goal is to win a medal. Gold would be a dream, but this time, we have a good chance to fulfill it.” Lucas Zellmer said.

With three failed starts and no race, the women’s 470 event remains with only five races completed, however with one change within the top 10 overall rankings. Margriet Fokkema and Marieke Jongens (NED) were granted a redress and move back inside the top ten to a 7th overall position.

Race Manager Helmut Czasny and his team have had an event sofar with complex situations and a lot of decisions to take and carry out. Fortunately the predictions for the wind conditions are better for tomorrow

”With wind shifts of 20-50 degrees, I can’t guarantee fair racing. The last race reached the limit, but to risk another outer limit in a race is not worth it. Thermal winds are forecasted tomorrow , which means a more stable and sailable wind speed. The plan is to sail three races tomorrow before we start the medal race on Sunday.” Helmut Czasny said.

Results and more information about the event are available at the event web site: http://www.traunseewoche.at/

For more information and media enquiries, please contact the International 470 Class Association: office@470.org or visit the official International 470 Class web site at: www.470.org

Photos are available online at: www.470.org/gallery

Full results Men and Women