Eurosaf Youth Sailing European Championship day 1

by John Friend on 8 Aug 2012 The first day of racing at the Eurosaf Youth Sailing European Championship saw a two hour postponement due to a passing storm, but once it passed, the sun made an appearance and the competitors were able to take to the water. Despite some challenging conditions out on the course, the Principle Race Officer, Andreas Kuchler, and his team were able to get racing underway on all three courses at 13.00.

The Race Committee and sailors had to wrestle with winds varying in both direction and speed, from six to 16 knots and swinging through as much as 180°. Despite being the first day of racing, competition was fierce and with two races completed in each class, there have been race winners from six different countries, Denmark, Norway, Italy, Germany, France and Great Britain. No one sailor has been dominant in any one fleet, so competition for all the medals looks open and exciting.

At the opening ceremony on Sunday we were reminded by Christina Nielsen, Vice-President of the Danish Sailing Association, of a quotation from the most famous sailor of all time, Paul Elvstrøm: 'If you are winning and losing your friends, you are not winning'.

Such a quotation is very significant for a youth championship of the kind being held here in Denmark, the home country of Elvstrøm, and it is to be hoped that this event will live up to this fine ideal. The results so far indicate this will be the case and that the International Jury should have a quiet week.

John Friend, the Secretary General of Eurosaf, present at the event, said 'we selected Sailing Aarhus to host the first occasion this event has been run, because of their reputation and past experience, in particular hosting the ISAF Youth Sailing World Championship in 2008. I was present for the event in 2008 and knew the capability of Sailing Aarhus,' Friend continued 'and so far we have been more than satisfied with the organisation, in all aspects. We look forward to a very successful event'.

Today, Tuesday, has dawned with sunshine and clouds, and winds forecast to be strong, so we should be in for some exciting racing. All the competitors have a smile of their faces at the prospect of some exhilarating sailing to come.

All fleets will sail three races today, and racing continues daily until Friday 10th European Youth Sailing website