European Championships Report

Dissapointing but essentially positive would be the best way to sum it up.

The first race of qualification started with a 6th in a steady light breeze. Our boatspeed was one of the best in the fleet and on the odd occasion when we do everything else right, we have the opportunity to make it count. Lack of experience on the startline of race 2 leaves us without a gap to leeward. It wasn't that we didn't know that this was very important, more that we didn't react fast enough or have the time to re-position.

Going into the last day of qualification, we should have been lying comfortably half way down silver fleet (35- 40th probably) had it not been for a German protest. We were disqualified unfairly because we were not aware of the fact that we were being protested even though the noticeboard was checked with 10 minutes to go until the time-limit. Again lack of experience and attention to detail meant that we had it all on as our 2nd best result (10th) is now replaced with a DSQ.

Windy and wavy and our boathandling was holding up well rounding the last windward mark of the first race in around 12th. A large wave on the last few meters to the finish resulted in a capsize whilst trying to lay the finish line. 10 boats stream past us. Average next race, miss silver fleet overall by 2 points.

Absolutely gutted and feeling fairly hard done by, we focus on the final series and win confidently by a good 15 points.

So much to take from the event, it is one that would be easy to forget but we are both aware of the importance of taking the learning points from it. The new English Braids ropes held up significantly better than the previous rope which is a major positive.

Ready and rearing to go for training in weymouth in the build up to Sail For Gold.