Nicholson/Boyd finish third at 49er Europeans

by Di Pearson on 11 Jul 2004 Chris Nicholson/Gary Boyd (AUS) have finished in an excellent third place at the 49er European Championship on Lake Garda in Italy, their last major regatta before the Athens Olympic Games on what proved to be a long and tiring day and finished only five points behind the winners in some close racing for the top three places.

Yesterday’s leaders, Chris Sundby/Frode Bovin (NOR) plummeted to fifth place, whilst Chris Draper/Simon Hiscocks (GBR) saw their chance from second place and won the regatta outright from Michael Hestbaek/Dennis Dengsoe (DEN), who had a better day in some trying conditions.

The 92 sailors, split into Gold and Silver fleets, were teased with cold northerlies in the 18 knot region prior to racing, in what has been a cold European spring to-date, but once competitors lined up for a start, the wind vanished and so everyone was sent ashore.

Finally racing got underway in the Gold fleet, but the wind was up and down throughout the day, and in some cases it was a case of luck, whilst others, like Nicholson/ Boyd, who excel in any conditions, just did what the normally do – sailed well.

Nicko and Boydy also took out the ‘President’s Cup’ – a fun match race sailed after the main event. The pair, who both hail from Lake Macqaurie on the NSW north coast, will now put in some practice and have some downtime prior to competing at the Olympic Games in Athens, where they are a real chance to bring home a medal.

Results

1. Chris Draper/Simon Hiscocks GBR 41 points

2. Michael Hestbaek/Dennis Dengsoe DEN 45

3. Chris Nicholson/Gary Boyd AUS 46

4. Marc Audineau/Stéphane Christidis FRA 49

5. Stevie Morrison/Ben Rhodes GBR 51

www.49er.org/index2.php