European Laser Radial Women's Championship 2008
Sat 12th July 2008 - Sat 19th July 2008
BELGIUM, Nieuwpoort
Sat 19th July 2008 - Day 8
Adverse weather brings an end to the European Laser Radial Women's Championship
All scheduled races have been cancelled today due to adverse weather conditions. Average winds of 23 knots have been measured close to the shore line this morning with steep waves in the bay. This afternoon winds of between 28 and 30 knots are forecast, calling an early end to the European Laser Radial Women's Championship 2008.
Fri 18th July 2008 - Day 7
First day of finals racing in the European Laser Radial Women's Championship
An issue with the start vessel caused a slight delay for the Radial fleets on the first day of finals racing. A replacement was soon found, the race committee members transferred and the boat positioned ready for the start, causing a delay of half an hour. Luckily, the wind was steady at 255-266 degrees and was between 16 and 18 knots. One general recall was needed for the Women's gold fleet.
With the wind remaining consistent the race committee were able to start the second race back to back. Katarzyna Szotynska (POL) was unlucky today as she broke her mast shortly after the start. In decreasing winds of 14 to 15 knots all groups finished racing early.
Katarzyna Szotynska's bad luck meant that she remains in 5th place overall. Sari Mutala did enough to hold the top spot on the leader board with a 3rd and a 4th place today. 2nd place Sophie de Turckheim sailed well today with two 1st places putting her above Evi Van Acker on the leader board. Mutala leads the Women's gold fleet on 11 points, just 3 points ahead of 2nd place Turckheim, and 5 points ahead of 3rd place Van Acker.
Thurs 17th July 2008 - Day 6
Sari Mutala successfully maintains her winning form
In the Laser Radial fleets, the first race of the day was slightly delayed due to the pin end boat not holding anchor. Once this was resolved the first race got underway with a steady westerly wind of 12 knots at the start. All fleets started well without any recalls or even an OCS being given. Throughout the race the wind increased steadily to reach 16 knots at the finish with a consistent wind direction.
After a short break for lunch, the fleet got on the water again for race eight with winds in excess of 18 knots. A general recall was necessary for each of the women's fleets. The wind strengthened even more throughout the race to reach up to 21 knots, challenging those sailors unfamiliar with the choppy North Sea.
Sari Mutala successfully maintained her winning form, scoring 2 more bullets in races 7 and 8. Evi Van Acker also sailed well with a 3rd and a 1st allowing her to keep 2nd place overall. The battle for 3rd place on the leader board is well underway with Katarzyna Szotynska moving down to 5th overall after a 4th and a 10th place today. Sophie de Turckheim moved up to 3rd overall with two 2nd places today.
Wed 16th July 2008 - Day 5
Two bullets bring Sarah Blanck up the leaderboard
With wins in race 5 and race 6 Sarah Blanck (AUS) moved into fourth place overall. Challenging race conditions with a strong current and winds ranging from 6 to 10 knots meant the European Laser Radial Women's Championship saw several changes in the overall positions at the end of day 3. Sari Multala (FIN) took 2nd place in race 5 maintaining her overall lead whilst Katarzyna Szotynska (POL) scored a 2nd place in race 5 followed by a win in race 6 moving her from 6th to 3rd overall.
Tues 15th July 2008 - Day 4
Sari Mutala holds the lead in the Laser Radial Women's Championship
Day two of racing saw two races sailed in overcast weather conditions. During the first race the south-westerly wind diminished from about 12 knots to less than 10 knots. Again, there were several general recalls in the second race of the day.
Sari Multala (FIN) once again sailed ahead winning both races in the Laser Radial Women's fleet keeping her place at the top of the leaderboard on just 4 points. Also on the Women's leaderboard Sophie de Turckheim (FRA) keeps second place on 8 points closely followed by Evi Van Acker (BEL) in third place with 10 points.
In the Laser Standard Men's fleet, Tom Slingsby (AUS) stays in first place with a 1st and a 2nd today while Paul Goodison (GBR) moved up from third to second place. Zbogar Vasilijk (SLO) is third.
Zemke Wojciech (POL) leads the Laser Radial Men's fleet by 2 points over 2nd place Jon Emmett (GBR).
Mon 14th July 2008 - Day 3
2 bullets today for Sari Mutala
Two races were sailed today in nice weather conditions with a westerly wind of 14 to 18 knots. While the first race went smoothly, there were some general recalls in the second race.
Tom Slingsby (AUS) won both races in the Laser Standard Men's fleet. Similarly, Sari Multala (FIN) won both races in the Laser Radial Women's fleet. In the Laser Radial Men's fleet joint first place is held by Jon Emmett (GBR), Michail Aristeidis (GRE) and Zemke Wojciech (POL) all on 3 points.
Sun 13th July 2008 - Day 2
Practice race sailed in 7-10 knot winds and sunshine
The final day of measurement was completed quickly and efficiently. Then, at 14h00 the practice race began with sunshine, blue skies and 7-10 knot winds.
After the practice race the European Championship was officially opened with an opening ceremony, happy hour and buffet: a great start to start the regatta.
Sat 12th July 2008 - Day 1
A full day of measurement in Nieuwpoort
Today was a full day of registration and measurement at the Koninklijke Yacht Club Nieuwpoort, in Belgium. More than 200 Lasers were measured without delay. There were beautiful sailing conditions with good wind and waves for the sailors that decided to practice in the bay