Access Class European Championships - Rain and light winds on day 3

by Icarus Sailing Media on 12 May 2013 The third racing day on Lake Constance, in Switzerland, for the 2013 Access Europeans consisted of light winds and rain. Nevertheless, sailors couldn’t be more excited to be here. And so they descended on the Arbon Marina, ready for an action-packed day. The boats always need some further attention. Due to the weather conditions, trimming and of course, emptying out any water on board was necessary.

Despite the light winds today, before too long the sailors headed to the race course area, unfazed, on time.

Quickly enough, the start was given for the 303 Single Person Access Class, where Britons Monique Foster and Paul Foster managed to place themselves at the top of the fleet, with Spain’s Tolo Gelabert following them closely.

After an upwind leg that featured some quite shifty winds, the Spaniard managed to round the weather mark, as well as the second mark in first place. Always with a safe lead from Switzerland’s Carlos Araujo in second place, who was trying to get closer. Eventually, the Swiss won the race, after some really smart tactics in the upwind leg, with his compatriot, Joao Pinto, in second place.

At the Access 2,3 race, Lindsay Burns from Great Britain dominated from the start of the race, with not one but two athletes from Portugal on her heels, chasing up the best possible outcome. Fernando Pinto and Luisa Gracia both gave a spectacular performance towards that goal, all the way to the finish line. At the end, the light wind and some unexpected gusts, worked to the benefit of the British athlete.

In the Liberty fleet, the committee boat side was clearly the most favorable one, and it was no surprise that all the boats headed there once the start was given. After some excellent tactics and skillfully executed maneuvers, Gérard Eychenne remained unbeatable today also, despite the tricky weather over the lake today. This way, the distance from his rivals increased. Victory belonged, at last, to the Frenchman.

Things promise to get even more exciting tomorrow. Not only because Sunday’s the very last racing day of the Access Club European Championship here in Switzerland, but also because the weather’s saving the best for last. Stronger winds have been forecasted! So stay tuned!