| BREST, FRANCE-(11-7-2003) 20 countries will be represented in the Womens Gold fleet at the 470 40th Anniversary European Championships here in Brest France.
After a frustrating wait for breeze on the 1st day of Qualification and a late start on the second, racing for the 165 boats from 35 Nations got underway in _knots right on time today.
The Men on the inshore course , devided into 3 fleets had the trickiest of conditions with shifts a plenty both in the breeze and in the results. The 2 fleets of Women were out further in the bay of Brest with more stable wind.
Reigning World & European Champion from Greece , Bekatorou and Tsoulfa had a nervous wait after their worst start to a regatta in memory . The 2 scoring 15 and 16 before recovering to finish the Qualification in 15th place.. Aussie arch rivals and Gold medallists Armstrong and Stowell managed slightly better in 9th and Via Dufresne and Azon in 3rd after the Early results.
Argentine Sesto and Reinoso may be the women to watch with 2 wins on the final day of qualification and carrying a 2nd as well. they were the best by far in adjusting to the difficult and changing conditions. RUS700 Ilenko &Gaponovich sit second and will be in the fight at the end.
The Men were faced with 8-11 knots and far from consistant shifts, several OCS’s in today’s 1st race spelled the end of the European Campaign for several teams. Nick Rogers & Joe Glandfield of GBR were the most consistant along with Double Silver Medallists Foerster & Burnham USA and sit 1,2 going into the final series.
Local Hero and past World Champion Gildas Phillippe & LeBerre are in 3rd but with 3 World Champions in the top 5 this will be a tough final series to win.
Results are provisional at the moment with MANY protests to be heard (after a 1.30am finish for the Jury last night).
Final races series start 1.00pm local time Saturday with the top Double handed Dinghy Sailors in the World to fight it out here in Brest.
| 
