For many countries these Championships were a step on the road to Athens 2004 and points and places were crucial. The usual smile of Spain’s Natalia Via duFresne and Sandra Azon grew even wider as the time grew close to an abandonment of racing for the day.

It was the closest Europeans in memory with the 1 st three Womens teams locked togeather on 36 points and seperated only on countback. Solvenians Dekleva & Maucec and Swedens Torgersson & Zachrisson each shared 1 win a peice to the Spanish 2 wins. The USA’s Paul Foester & Kevin Burnham enjoy their sailing at the best of times and their performance this week should make them happier than usual. Sailing superbly in difficult conditions the two Americans streeted the field by 13 points from their closest rivals. With Kevin a graduat of « previous Olympic Capaigns and a Silver Medal and Paul a previous double Olympic Silver Medalist , they are looking good for the Athens warm up event which is next on the racing calendar.

Local heros Gildas Phillippe & Nicolas LeBerre will take the European Trophy away tonight and well deserved to. Just « points back is Lucas Zellmer of Germany and another Olympic hopeful the swede’s Johan Moland & Martin Andersson. The fleets came to this regatta to celebrate the 40 th Anniversary of Andre Cornu’s little boat, designed for families to learn to sail together and race that has found its way into the highest level of sailing. they succeeded in doing so. The freindships made in competition were obvious everywhere in the boat park over the last week.. I’m sure the sailors thank Andre for his foresight and imagination those 40 years ago.

Source: Darren Dunkley-Smith