| CARTAGENA, SPAIN / SPLIT, CROATIA-(8-8-2005) August both the Laser and Laser Radial fleets European Championships kicked off. While Team GBR pulled off several top finishes, British sailors in both fleets struggled to find their footing at the top of the rankings.
The Laser Radials hit the water on Sunday morning. With 82 competitors, split into two fleets, this event illustrates just how competitive senior level sailing can be. The first day of qualifiers closed with the highest placed member of Team GBR being Lizzie Vickers in eighth overall. Charlotte Dobson finished the day with a second and in 17th place overall. Dobson will be hoping to repeat her top finish on Monday. Lying in 18th overall is Alison Young, just back from the Volvo ISAF Youth World Championships where she finished with a Bronze medal. This event will be Young’s first step into senior level competition as she moves away from youth sailing and into Olympic class racing.
The Men’s Laser European Championships got off to a rocky start. With little wind on the course, the fleets were held onshore until a four to eight knot thermal breeze kicked in. In shifty conditions the sailors took to the water to complete two qualifying races.
Paul Goodison got off to a good start finishing fifth in his first race. However Goodison struggled to repeat his performance in his second race and took 21st finishing in 16th place overall. Andrew Commander finished in 22nd place after placing 19 and 13 in the two races. With more light winds forecasted, the Lasers will continue to sail in shifty and challenging conditions.
Racing continues through until 12 August 2005. More information and results for the Laser Radial European Championships can be found on www.euroradial2005.com. For further information on the Laser European Championships please visit the event website www.cartagena2005.com
Results
Laser Radial,
1, Paige Railey, USA (1,1) 2 pts
2, Sari Multala, FIN (2,1) 3 pts
3, Kartarzyna Szotynska, POL (1,4) 5 pts
GBR
8, Lizzie Vickers (8,5) 13 pts
17, Charlotte Dobson (2,17) 19 pts
18, Alison Young (15,5) 20 pts
21, Andrea Brewster (9,12) 21 pts
27, Laura Baldwin (11,17) 28 pts
47, Nicky Muller (23,24) 47 pts
50, Colette Blair (23.26) 49 pts
64, Karen Falcon (29,35) 64 pts
76, Hannah Blore (39,37) 76 pts
77, Sarah Butcher (38,38) 76 pts
78, Jennifer Deyes (39,39) 78 pts
Laser
1, Robert Scheidt, BRA (3,1) 4 pts
2, Andreas Geritzer, AUT (8,2) 10 pts
3, Aron Lolic, CRO (3,7,) 10 pts
GBR
16, Paul Goodison (5,21) 26 pts
22, Andrew Commander (19,13) 32 pts
33, Giles Scott (14,25) 39 pts
40, Nick Thompson (27,19) 46 pts
45, Stephen Powell (40,10) 50 pts
64, James Gray (43,23,) 66 pts
73, Mark James Howard (46,30) 76 pts
91, Charles Ballie Strong (43,43) 86 pts
93, Dan Ward (53,35) 88 pts
97, Bruce Keen (51,38) 89 pts
98, Andy Brooks (31, 59) 90 pts
108, Michael Sims (55,40) 95 pts
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