European Youth Laser 4.7 Championship 2007 Reports
Dun Laoghaire, Ireland
Friday 26th July 2007 : 6th & Final Competition Day
Greece and Coatia win European Laser 4.7 Championship in cliff hanger finish
A marvellous European Laser 4.7 Championship ended with thrilling final
races in both the male and female fleets yesterday (Friday).
Alexios Katsios of Greece lifted the men's title and Tajana Genic won the female championship, in a nail biting finale to the 12 race series in Dun Laoghaire.
Tajana Ganic from Croatia lifted the ladies crown by scoring a 5th place (out of 61) after starting the final race just a single point ahead of her rival Michelle Broekhuizen from The Netherlands. The 17 year old from the medieval coastal city of Pula was overjoyed with her win.
"For me it is a dream came true. It's been a great, great championship," exclaimed Ganic
Asked about how she won she replied: "I was generally fairly consistent but it was the 2 first places on Wednesday that really made the difference for me."
Tajana explained the secret of her success: "I was an Optimist sailor for many years and it was a great basic training. I think one of the secrets of the success of the Croatian girls is that at home we sail with the boys and they are very good. This improves our sailing."
Tajana is helped by her father who is a sailing trainer.
16 year old Alexios Katsios sailed a thrilling final day to pip long term leader Yan Chekh of Russia, thereby becoming the European Laser 4.7 Championship at the National Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire.
Alexios explained his approach and strategy: "I have tried to be consistent and steady but I was trying very hard today. I am thrilled to win the event - it is my biggest win to date."
Alexios comes from Marathon near Athens and is part of a competitive 10 person Greek Squad run by George Ketelonitic: "We did an awful lot of work for this event - on and off the water. We have really enjoyed the event and the hospitality in Ireland. I have to say that the race committee did a great job, it was not easy."
The Greek team celebrated by spraying Ballygowan Sparkling Water - in the grand prix mode. "All our team have done a great job in this event" said George, whose grandfather was a Howard from Cork!
"I have heard many stories about the Irish weather - but I did not believe that 'four seasons in one day' occurs every day!" he joked.
The Greek team are heading to the Radial World Championship in Holland next week - their confidence boost by their terrific Irish Performance.
Ireland's Katie Tingle sailed two solid races to maintain her position as
top Irish female sailor placing her in 12th overall. The young Cork sailor
will return to sailing her 420 doublehanded dinghy with crew mate Maeve
Leonard who also had a decent day afloat with two mid teen positions in the
final day of the regatta.
ISA 4.7 Squad Coach Thomas Chaix explained, "The Irish boys were further down the fleet today however Katie should be pleased with her performance overall and will bring an added level of knowledge to her own class."
Ashore Katie said that: "This was my first Laser event and with just two day 's practice last week I am delighted with my result. It makes heading off on my holidays tomorrow so much sweeter."
Full of praise for event organiser Cathy MacAleavy, "Cathy did a great job," Katie concluded.
At the prize-giving ceremony, Con Murphy, Commodore National Yacht Club commented: "It's been a tremendous event and one the club will fondly remember. The racing programme ran like clockwork and we got a great variety of weather conditions, which give the competitors a week of superb racing. Every aspect of the event ran extremely smoothly, both afloat and ashore. Our visitors will go home with fond memories of their visit to Ireland."
Thurs 25th July 2007 : 5th Competition Day
Race win for Ireland’s Katie Tingle at European Laser 4.7 Championship
Chase on for final placings at the European Laser 4.7 Champs on Dublin Bay where East Europeans dominate the top
Katie Tingle was thrilled to be the first Irish race winner in these championship – scoring a runaway victory in race 9 yesterday (Thursday) as changeable westerly offshore conditions provided a challenge for all competitors.
Ashore Tingle explained. “It was an exciting start but I was able to tack onto port early and it really paid off. I took the lead on the first run and was fortunate to be able to break clear of the pack.”
“One of my main concerns is to return the boat in good conditions to my cousin Andrew Lane – I have no Laser of my own!’ she laughed.
The 17 year old from Douglas in Cork won by a 10 boat length margin – no mean achievement considering her lack of experience in Laser 4.7s but she is the current Female 420 National Champion.
Rory Fitzpatrick, ISA Youth & Performance Manager explained; “Katie, a dedicated member of the ISA 420 Squad, is sailing in this event as it provides great international experience on home waters. A good natural ability allows a sailor to solve the demands that arise with different boats.”
Katie’s Coach, Ryan Seaton from Ballyholme was very impressed: “She sailed a great race against the best in the world – it’s a great achievement to win.”
Along with her win, Katie also counts two second places earlier in the championship however her lack of intimate knowledge of the boat would have effected her other results placing her 14th overall. Katie’s win was matched by great performance by her 420 crew, Maeve Leonard who achieved two top ten results in Thursday’s races.
It can not be any closer at the top of the female fleet. With two discards now counted Tajana Ganic (Croatia) and here compatriot Lina Stock are both dead level on 61 points. Meanwhile Serena De Luca (Italy) has slipped into 5th place. After yesterday’s racing its clear that the overall winner will go down to the last race today.
Italian Ladies Coach Giorgia Talucci was a keen observer yesterday: “it is so very close at the top – really any of ten sailors could win overall”
Three Irish boats are competing in the Men’s Gold fleet Ross Vaughan, Alan Roigrok and Scott Flanagan . A member of the ISA 4.7 Squad, Vaughan has campaigned seriously in the lead up to this event and counts top ten finishes at two 4.7 Europa Cup events earlier in the year.
Thomas Chaix, Coach with the ISA 4.7 Squad: “Despite good individual race results, overall the squad members have to be disappointed with their lack consistency in this regatta. However the 4.7 squad is only a few months old and the sailors can only benefit from their experiences here.”
With both the Male and Female title of European champion to be decided at the end of todays (Friday’s) racing all eyes are on the Croatian and Russian competitor to see who comes out on top.
For the final four races of the championship the male competitors were split into gold, silver and bronze fleets and with just two races yet to decide the title the competition has heated up with Alexios Katsios (Greece) in second just two points ahead of Croatian Marko Peresa, absolutely anything can happen. However since the beginning of the championship Russia’s Yan Chekh has been to the fore of the male fleet and with a clear 19 point clear is comfortable going into the final two races.
International Race Officer Jack Roy got in two good races today in winds of 10-20 knots although the wind strength did increase during race two.
Roy commented: “it was impressive how the fleet continued to race aggressively in the testing conditions when the wind strength got up, with some gusts peaking at 30 knots. I had the option of running three races today but sent the fleet ashore when lighting appeared on the far horizon.”
Today’s Race Winners:
Race Nine - Race Winners:
Female ‘Green’ Fleet: 1st Katie Tingle, Ireland
Male Gold Fleet: 1st Alexios Katsios, Greece
Male Silver Fleet: 1st Marko Madrevic, Croatia
Male Bronze Fleet: 1st Izzet Mizrahi, Turkey
Race Ten - Race Winners:
Female ‘Green’ Fleet: 1st Sara Hernandez Leøn, Spain
Male Gold Fleet: 1st Jakob Bozic, Slovian
Male Silver Fleet: 1st Lorenze Farchione, Italy
Male Bronze Fleet: 1st Victor Pereboom, Netherlands
Overall Top Three Positions:
Results Laser 4.7 Female (Scores take into account two discards)
Position |
Name |
Country |
Total |
Round 1 |
Round 2 |
Round 3 |
Round 4 |
Round 5 |
Round 6 |
Round 7 |
Round 8 |
Round 9 | Round 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1st |
Tanjana Ganic |
CRO |
61.0 |
14 |
(20) |
16 |
11 |
(18) |
7 |
1 |
1 |
8 |
3 |
2nd |
Lina Stock |
CRO |
61.0 |
(27) |
(29) |
1 |
16 |
5 |
2 |
7 |
3 |
23 |
4 |
3rd |
Antea Kordic |
CRO |
64.0 |
5 |
3 |
10 |
9 |
(32) |
(23) |
11 |
11 |
9 |
6 |
Results Laser 4.7 Male (Scores take into account two discards)
Position |
Name |
Country |
Total |
Round 1 |
Round 2 |
Round 3 |
Round 4 |
Round 5 |
Round 6 |
Round 7 | Round 8 | Round 9 | Round 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1st |
Yan Chekh |
RUS |
24.0 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
5 |
(32) |
7 |
(29) |
2nd |
Boris Bignoli |
ITA |
39.0 |
5 |
1 |
4 |
10 |
1 |
(bfd) |
(14) |
7 |
5 |
6 |
3rd |
Alexios Katsios |
GRE |
43.0 |
7 |
(9) |
8 |
7 |
6 |
3 |
(9) |
2 |
1 |
9 |
Wednesday 24th July 2007 : 4th Competition Day
Stage set for thrilling Laser European Finals on Dublin Bay
Four race wins across the fleets for Croatia in Wednesday’s heavy weather conditions at the European Laser 4.7 Championship
A battle royal will take place today (Thursday) and tomorrow between a gaggle of top European sailors for the coveted crown of European Laser 4.7 Champion.
At the end of the 4 qualifying days yesterday the field was led by Russian star Yan Chekh in the male fleet and Serena De Luca leads the females.
With the final four races scheduled for today and tomorrow – and the male fleet being split into gold, silver and bronze, absolutely anything can happen.
The overnight leader Yan Chekh retains his position at the top of the table despite his lowest place finish of the
series to date in the last race yesterday: Chekh is new to the Laser 4.7 class: “I only started last August. Up to that I spent 9 years in Optimist.”
Ashore at the National Yacht Club he commented: “I think this championship is fantastic. We are getting so much good experience. I come from the Black Sea where the weather can be the same for many weeks. Here we are getting very different weather in every race!”
His team mate Ivan Zotov close behind – despite having a DNF in the difficult, windy last race: “I think anything can happen in the last four races – Honestly, I would say any one of the top 7 or 8 boats can be champion”
The 16 year old also learnt his craft on the Black Sea and this is his first time in Ireland:
“We are having a very good experience – I cannot describe it – it’s great with the huge fleet and different weather.”
The first race of the day was completed on schedule albeit in an offshore 10 knots of breeze which provided shifty conditions for the young sailors to master. Early afternoon saw the arrival of a squall, hitting 25-30 knots, which led International Race Officer Jack Roy to postpone the start of the day’s second race by an hour.
Croatia’s Tajena Ganic enjoyed the heavy conditions and with two race wins now moves up into the top overall rankings. However it is 17 year old Serena de Luca from Salerno who holds the overall lead in the female fleet. Italian head coach Giorgia Talucci explained: “We have a strong squad here – but the sailing is very competitive. The last race was run in heavy winds and it was more difficult for everyone.”
Staying in the new Royal Marine Hotel across the road from the clubhouse, the Italian Team is looking forward to the last two days of competition: “It’s been a very good event but the weather is a lot colder than we are used to in Italy.”
Serena was 5th in last year’s European Laser 4.7 Championship and is currently in a strong position to improve on 2006.
Today’s Race Winners
Race Seven Race Winners:
Female ‘Green’ Fleet: 1st Tajana Ganic, Croatia
Male ‘Yellow’ Fleet: 1st Matej Valic, Slovenia
Male ‘Blue’ Fleet: 1st Nikolaos Chrisos, GBR
Male ‘Red’ Fleet: 1st Yuri Hummel, Netherlands
Race Six Race Winners:
Female ‘Green’ Fleet: 1st Tajana Ganic, Croatia
Male ‘Yellow’ Fleet: 1st Luciano Hlanuda, Croatia
Male ‘Blue’ Fleet: 1st Nikolaos Chrisos, Greece
Male ‘Red’ Fleet: 1st Albert Zahtila, Croatia
Overall top three positions:
Results Laser 4.7 Female (Scores take into account one discard)
Position |
Name |
Country |
Total |
Round 1 |
Round 2 |
Round 3 |
Round 4 |
Round 5 |
Round 6 |
Round 7 |
Round 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1st |
Lina Stock |
CRO |
61.0 |
27 |
(29) |
1 |
16 |
5 |
2 |
7 |
3 |
2nd |
Tanjana Ganic |
CRO |
68.0 |
14 |
(20) |
16 |
11 |
18 |
7 |
1 |
1 |
3rd |
Serena de Luca |
ITA |
71.0 |
15 |
2 |
5 |
1 |
21 |
12 |
15 |
(25) |
Results Laser 4.7 Male (Scores take into account one discard)
Position |
Name |
Country |
Total |
Round 1 |
Round 2 |
Round 3 |
Round 4 |
Round 5 |
Round 6 |
Round 7 | Round 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1st |
Yan Chekh |
RUS |
17.0 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
5 |
(32) |
2nd |
Ivan Zotov |
RUS |
30.0 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
9 |
6 |
6 |
(dnf) |
3rd |
Albert Zahtila |
CRO |
37.0 |
1 |
13 |
7 |
2 |
10 |
(33) |
3 |
1 |
Tuesday 24th July 2007 : 3rd Competition Day
Russian stamps his mark on the fleet at the European Laser 4.7 Championship.
Irish Girls have good day with Cork’s Katie Tingle taking third in race 5.
Yan Chekh from Russia consolidated his lead at the European Laser 4.7 Championship at Dun Laoghaire with another race win to provide a 4 point lead over second placed Andraz Gulic (Slovenia). Just three points behind is Ivan Zotov (Russia) who despite a disappointing day, where he slipped from 2nd to 3rd overall, still remains in touch with the leaders.
The 262 strong fleet was ashore at the National Yacht Club by 4pm (Tuesday) after International Race Office Jack Roy successfully ran the day’s 8 race schedule, with a steady westerly force 3 to 4 in light seas.
Roy explained, “With the wind forecast to drop off for the afternoon it was necessary to ensure that all races ran like clockwork. The Black Flag was flown from the start however the strong tide did help hold the fleet back from the line for most starts.”
Cork’s Katie Tingle sailed a great first race of the day to achieve a third place in an exceptionally closely fought contest, which was ultimately won by 15 year old Charlotte Greenhalgh from Lancashire. Interestingly enough Katie, previously a star Optimist sailor, was hotly pursued by her ISA 420 Girls Squad crewmate Maeve Leonard (6th), also from the Royal Cork Yacht Club.
Spain’s Olimpia Corral Bosch, who won race six, must be delighted with her bullet as it brings her into ninth place overall. However fleet leader Serena de Luca (Italy, despite showing relatively poor results today still holds an eleven point lead.
Con Murphy, National Yacht Club Commodore noted, “The six years of planning for this Championship was obvious today with flawless race execution – all races starting on time –thrilling close racing and a rapid results service to keep competitors fully in the picture”
With 262 young competitors all under 18 years, many sailors have travelled to Dun Laoghaire with their parents and siblings. When planning the logistics for this event the National Yacht Club looked to provide that little extra. Last night they ran a mini regatta in the evening using Radio Controlled Lasers, which brought an entry of 100 competitors, both young and old. With the prize being a radio controlled Laser the final race-off will create great interest.
Today’s Race Winners
Race Five Race Winners:
Female ‘Green’ Fleet: 1st Charlotte Greenhalgh, GBR
Male ‘Yellow’ Fleet: 1st Rafal Milczarczyk, Poland
Male ‘Blue’ Fleet: 1st Boris Bignoli, Italy
Male ‘Red’ Fleet: 1st Andraz Gulic, Slovenia
Race Six Race Winners:
Female ‘Green’ Fleet: 1st Olimpia, Corral Bosch, ESP
Male ‘Yellow’ Fleet: 1st Giancomo Sabbatini, Italy
Male ‘Blue’ Fleet: 1st Yan Chekh, Russia
Male ‘Red’ Fleet: 1st Matteo Franciolini Italy
Overall top three positions:
Results Laser 4.7 Female (Scores take into account one discard)
Position |
Name |
Country |
Total |
Round 1 |
Round 2 |
Round 3 |
Round 4 |
Round 5 |
Round 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1st |
Serena de Luca |
ITA |
35.0 |
15 |
2 |
5 |
1 |
(22) |
12 |
| 2nd |
Elisabetta Macchini |
ITA |
44.0 |
1 |
9 |
6 |
(15) |
14 |
14 |
| 3rd |
Maksymiuk, Joanna |
POL |
47.0 |
2 |
(dsq) |
21 |
14 |
4 |
6 |
Results Laser 4.7 Male (Scores take into account one discard)
Position |
Name |
Country |
Total |
Round 1 |
Round 2 |
Round 3 |
Round 4 |
Round 5 |
Round 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1st |
Yan Chekh |
RUS |
9.0 |
(3) |
3 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
| 2nd |
Andraz Gulic |
SLO |
12.0 |
2 |
(28) |
1 |
4 |
1 |
4 |
| 3rd |
Ivan Zotov |
RUS |
15.0 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
(9) |
6 |
Monday 23rd July 2007 : 2nd Competition Day
More photos from the Championship
Russians Dominate at Day Two of European Laser 4.7 Championship
Two Russian Sailors are the overnight leaders in the European Laser 4.7 Championship at dun Laoghaire when results are combined. With Yan Chekh and Ivan Zotov in first and second place respectively overall in the four races run to date neither have finished outside the top three.
With today’s blue skies over Dublin bay, it was a picturesque sight as 262 white sails took to the water, all helmed by teenagers from around Europe. That another two races have been completed by all four fleets in the European Laser 4.7 Championship despite the light wind conditions was impressive.
For the second day running starting was postponed by International Race Officer Jack Roy as he held all fleets ashore to wait for the forecasted breeze to fill in. Dublin Bay provided sunshine and blue skies for this international fleet, with north east winds of 10-12 knots. However conditions proved quite shifty for the young sailors as the wind swung around during the day.
Roy commented “In contrast to yesterday’s clean starts, today saw enough people over the line for a number of general recalls. With 8 races scheduled I found it necessary to be strict with the competitors and flew the Black Flag.”
A Black Flag flown during a starting sequence warns competitors to stay off the course in the final minute of countdown, with disqualification the penalty for those who infringe. With a strong tide flowing a lot of the young sailors are now carrying this penalty.
Commodore of the National Yacht Club Con Murphy explained, “Now that four races are under the belt some familiar faces are beginning to appear regularly at the front of the fleet.”
Again the Italians, who travelled in numbers, are setting the pace in the female fleet with another race winner when Serena De Luga won race four and with her second place from yesterday’s she now holds an overnight lead. Earlier Croatia took line honours when Lina Stork won race three.
The highest place Irish female sailor is Katie White who lies in 7th place overnight after taking a sixth in today’s last race.
Meanwhile yesterday Katie White’s father and brother decided to sail across from Malahide to watch her race. However they missed out on the action when instead they came to the rescue of a trawler who needed towing to Bullock Harbour after engine failure occurred right by the windward mark.
Today’s Race Winners
Race three Race Winners:
Female ‘Green’ Fleet: 1st Lina Stock, Croatia
Male ‘Yellow’ Fleet: 1st Michal Staszewski, Poland
Male ‘Blue’ Fleet: 1st Utku Gonener, Turkey
Male ‘Red’ Fleet: 1st Andraz Golic, Slovenia
Race four Race Winners:
Female ‘Green’ Fleet: 1st Serena De Luga, Italy
Male ‘Yellow’ Fleet: 1st Yan Chekh, Russia
Male ‘Blue’ Fleet: 1st Jonathan Schopfer, Switzerland
Male ‘Red’ Fleet: 1st Hod Ben-Horin, Israel
Overall Top Three Positions:
Results Laser 4.7 Female (Scores take into account one discard)
Position |
Name |
Country |
Total |
Round 1 |
Round 2 |
Round 3 |
Round 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1st |
Serena de Luca |
ITA |
8.0 |
(15) |
2 |
5 |
1 |
| 2nd |
Elisabetta Macchini |
ITA |
16.0 |
1 |
9 |
6 |
(15) |
| 3rd |
Ewa Makowska |
POL |
16.0 |
11 |
(25) |
3 |
2 |
Results Laser 4.7 Male (Scores take into account one discard)
Position |
Name |
Country |
Total |
Round 1 |
Round 2 |
Round 3 |
Round 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1st |
Yan Chekh |
RUS |
6.0 |
(3) |
3 |
2 |
1 |
| 2nd |
Ivan Zotov |
RUS |
6.0 |
(3) |
2 |
2 |
2 |
| 3rd |
Andraz Gulic |
SLO |
7.0 |
2 |
(25) |
1 |
4 |
Sunday 22nd July 2007 : 1st Competition Day
Massive Youth Fleet Master Dublin Bay’s Changeable Conditions at the European Laser 4.7 Championship
The biggest youth sailing fleet seen on Dublin Bay successfully completed the opening two qualifying races for the European Laser 4.7 Championship at Dun Laoghaire yesterday (Sunday).
With light variable winds forecast to increase in the afternoon International Race Officer Jack Roy postponed the scheduled start of race one by an hour. However conditions changed markedly throughout the day and race two provided quite a contrast.
Con Murphy, National Yacht Club Commodore, explained, “The first race was run in light winds of just 5-7 knots but race two was quite different. It was started in torrential rain and provided winds 10-15 knots.”
With 262 young sailors on the water competitors are divided into four separate fleets – one female and three male. The initial four days of the championship is a qualifiying series for the male fleets, however after Wednesday they will be classified as either Gold, Silver or Bronze as they sail 2 races per day for the final series.
With each fleet scheduled to complete 12 races it is a daunting prospect for any Race Officer to ensure that all 262 boats away cleanly over 48 separate starts. However International Race Office Jack Roy has shown his intentions for the week with today’s efficient and clean starts.
Roy commented “It’s a great experience for the sailors to compete in a regatta of this size and the standard of starts from the youngest to the oldest was fantastic with just a few OSC’s.”
As expected the Spanish contingent is proving very competitive however our Irish summer is failing to impress Sara Hernandez León who won the second race in the female fleet.
León from Tenerife said, “It was a quiet windy during the race but it was also a lot colder than I’m used to.”
The logistics behind an event of this size is astonishing with 262 boats launched this morning in just 55 minutes however the slip master’s team broke that record later in the day when all boats were landed in less than 45 minutes.
Female Race Winners
Race One:
1st Elisabetta Macchine, Italy
Race Two
1st Sara Hernandez León, Spain