NZL Sailing Team's Konsinska ends the RS-X European Champs in 12th

by Jodie Bakewell-White on 6 Jul 2014
The 2014 RS:X European Open Championships are over for Natalia Kosinska who has finished in 12th overall sailing against the world’s best Olympic Women’s windsurfers in Cesme, Turkey.

Overnight, the regatta came to its conclusion with only the top ten in each fleet heading onto the water for the podium determining medal races. Extra racing across the remainder of the fleets was scheduled but didn’t eventuate and Kosinska was left without the opportunity to climb through the ranks again.

Kosinska’s coach Dave Robertson reports in today; 'It was a disappointing day again with racing called off due to the high winds. They managed to race the medal race but the breeze built to strong afterwards for the rest of the fleet to race.'

He continues; 'We managed to get out on the water though with some training partners and work on speed in the big breeze and waves. So all was not lost! Lots of positives to take from the regatta and some big lessons learned also.'

For Kosinska the second half of the regatta didn’t unfold has she would have hoped and while she profited in the opening days and lighter winds to lie fifth overall at the end of day two, the Takapuna Boating Club representative found she lacked the same speed edge in the stronger winds on the third day of racing which was followed by a cancelled day on the penultimate day of the regatta.

'From here Natalia will have ten days of recovery before heading back to Santander to continue the build up to the ISAF Sailing World Championships this September,' explains Robertson. 'Thanks to everyone for their support this week!'

The Women’s Open European Championship was won by France’s Charline Picon, while Piotr Myszka of Poland took out the Men’s title for 2014.

The only other New Zealander in Cesme for the regatta was Tauranga youth windsurfer Alex Hart competing in the Male Youth European Championship. Hart finished at the top of the silver fleet (and 35th overall) winning two silver fleet races.

This coming week a number of the NZL Sailing Team crack into their European Championship regattas including the 49er, 49erFX, Men’s 470, Women’s 470 and Nacra 17 crews. More here.

About the NZL Sailing Team:

The NZL Sailing Team includes New Zealand’s top Olympic campaigners who have made the top 20% in their most recent (respective) class World Championships or pinnacle event and have shown consistency of performance over the year including other significant Championships.

Yachting New Zealand’s High Performance Programme is focussed on winning medals at the Olympics in Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020.

NZL Sailing Team sailors all started out at grass roots yacht clubs around the country and with commitment, dedication and drive have risen to be world class athletes; they work hard in the gym, train long hours on the water and are supported by great coaches.