Storms Dominate First Day of Finals
Thunderstorms and difficult race conditions have presented major challenges for sailors at the European Championships in Poland for the 49er, 49erFX and Nacra 17 classes.
As conditions worsened over the first day of scheduled finals racing, only sporadic racing was achieved, set against wind shifts, gusts and weather delays. Such was the drama, no races were possible in the 49er fleet at all.
Earlier, the 49erFX boats took to the waters of Gdynia under increasingly portentous skies. Ella Clarke and skipper Amelia Stabback recorded three finals races – highlighted by an impressive third place effort in the second race. They currently hold 23rd position in the gold fleet standings.
The Nacra 17 class was next to test resolve against increasingly swollen clouds, with two races possible.
Western Australian athletes Conor Nicholas and Hayley Clarke continued their fledgling sail partnership with 24th and 25thplaced efforts giving them a current ranking of 26th overall.
The duo are a very recent on water combination but are showing promising signs as supported by their qualification in the gold fleet.
As wild storms struck, safety concerns dictated that no racing would take place in the 49er ranks, meaning WA’s competing talent held their existing positions.
As such, David Gilmour and his crewmate Joel Turner are in 19th position, whilst Lachy Gilmour and Ryan Donaldson missed out on gold fleet with a 36th place ranking.
Photo: © Drew Malcolm