World Champs Win Photo Finish At Yngling Europeans

Sarah AYTON, Sara WEBB and Pippa WILSON (GBR) are the 2008 Yngling European Champions after a thrilling Medal Race in Blanes.

Going into the Medal Race of the ISAF Grade C1 Yngling European Championship in Blanes, Spain on Saturday the top six boats were separated by seven points, setting the stage for a very exciting race. The bay of Blanes provided excellent conditions with blue skies and a see breeze of about 15 knots building up great surf waves.

After an equal start and a very tight first lap, four boats managed to get a small gap to the fleet. Going down towards the finish the teams of Sarah AYTON, Sarah WEBB and Pippa WILSON (GBR), Sally BARKOW, Carrie HOWE and Debbie CAPOZZI (USA), Renee GROENEVELD, Annemieke BES and Merel WITTEVEEN (NED) and Mandy MULDER, Brechtje VAN DER WERF and Floortje HENDRIKSEN (NED) were all side by side. At different points along the final downwind there were all in a gold medal winning position. Team BARKOW got the last surf and won the race, but crucial AYTON, WEBB and WILSON crossed in second place, to win the title by a single point from the Americans. GROENEVALD, BES and WITTEVEEN crossed the line in fourth to take the bronze medal.

The British trio of AYTON, WEBB and WILSON now hold both the World and European Yngling titles and look well replaced to regain the top spot in the Yngling ISAF World Sailing Rankings when they are next released this Wednesday 9 April.

After a perfect regatta with all races sailed as scheduled in various condition the IYA and all the sailors wish to thank Club Vela Blanes for their superb organization and wonderful hospitality. 

Results – click here
Yngling European Championship – http://cvblanes.esportcatala.com