Big Breeze But Racing Goes Ahead

The third day of races of the Star Europeans in L’Escala was completed yesterday despite a strong wind from the east that blew in the racing area, making conditions physically and mentally tough on the water.

At the beginning of the day the wind was 14 to1 6 knots and the waves exceeded two and half metres in height. Due to the strong wind that was increasing during the course of the race, it was decided to run only one race.

This first start of the day caused a general recall, but the fleet got away successfully on the second under black flag. The major casualty of the black flag were event leaders Ross MCDONALD and Mike WOLFS, who were disqualified. There has to be a minimum of five races before a discard comes in and McDonald can lose this score, but the result has still piled pressure on the Canadians.

Yesterday’s win went to Dutch sailors Mark NEELEMAN and Peter Van NIERKERK, with Britain’s Iain PERCY and Steve MITCHELL in second, and Frederik LOOF and Anders ELKSTROM (SWE) in third.

Neeleman said of the conditions yesterday that the wind wasn’t too much to cope with but the sea conditions were tricky in the race area, something he wasn’t too used to.

The Europeans are also part of the selection procedure for some nations to decide their representative at the Athens Olympics. It is understood that the Spanish, Canadians, Dutch and Germans are all having battles within the fleet to beat their countrymen.

The weather forecast for today indicates south eaterley winds, that should be slightly less strong, however the swell is likely to remain. Full results are available on the event website at the address below.

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