J80 European Championship - Interface Concept reclaims lead

by Neus Jordi on 4 Jul 2014 France’s 'Interface Concept', skippered by Simon Moriceau, finished first in the only race held today at Barcelona’s Maresme waterfront in the J80 European championship staged by Club Náutico El Balís. The French team recovered the lead replacing 'Factor Energía', commanded by José María van der Ploeg, who still has options to fight for the title of the event that will finish tomorrow.

Today’s action started on time at noon with a very strong wind from East, which reached a speed of 22 to 25 knots. The wind kept increasing its speed after the first race, so the organizing committee decided to send the 52 participating boats and the more than 250 sailors from 10 different countries to shore, hoping the weather conditions would improve. At 16:00 the wind was blowing at 32 knots, so the organizing committee decided to suspend the rest of races programmed for today.

A maximum of two races may be sailed tomorrow, July 4, at Club Náutico El Balís, with the starting of the first one programmed at noon. Everything can still happen at this exciting event with a very tight fight for the top places.

J80 class French champion Simon Moriceau’s 'Interface Concept' grabbed the lead thanks to a first-place finish in the tough and only race held today. The French team is seven points ahead of 'Factor Energía', commanded by José María van der Ploeg (CN El Balís), who had to settled today for a ninth place. Second in the overall standings, the 2012 world champion will chase tomorrow the leading team, but will also need to take care of not being hunted from behind as another French skipper, Quentin Delapierre, ranks third with 'EV Cataschool', who finished third today to place his team third only four points behind the second overall spot.

The team 'Movistar', led by 2010 European champion Carlos Martínez, dropped to fourth overall, but is only one point behind third.

Away from the fight for the top three spots two Spanish teams rank fifth and sixth. 'Bribón Movistar' of Marc de Antonio and Sofía Bertrand is 17 points behind third place, while 'New Territories', skippered by current world champion Hugo Rocha, is 25 points away from a possible bronze medal.
Event website