49er, 49erFX and Nacra17 European Championship – Practice day complete

by Club 49er and Nacra 17 on 30 Jul 2017 The 2017 European Championship for the 49er, 49erFX and Nacra 17 is set to begin tomorrow, Sunday July 30.

This will be the first event for the full foiling Nacra 17 since it evolved from its original C foil configuration to the Full Foil configuration, ushering in a new era of Olympic sailing. The first boats were delivered to the sailors only three weeks ago, so this regatta is going to be full on, particularly if we get some strong breeze.

No doubt, for the sailors it will be all about figuring out how to handle this new configuration on a race course. So far foiling in straight lines and flat water has proven stable and quick, but multiple manoeuvers, racing tactics and pressure as well as other boats to avoid will be sure to challenge the fleet. Exciting times ahead!

For the 49er and 49erFX, a new generation seek to establish themselves in the Classes that the pro teams at the America's Cup and Volvo Ocean Race cannot get enough of. With Outteridge and Burling 'recovering' at the from their America's Cup efforts, and with Grael and Echegoyen preparing for their upcoming Volvo Ocean Race gigs, there are plenty of ambitious teams looking to fill the podium positions. It's been many years since a Burling, an Outteridge or a Martinez has been absent from a Championship, so we are guaranteed a few new faces atop the podium.

Qualifying begins at 11am (Central European Time) starting with the 49erFX and Full Foiling Nacra 17, followed by the 49er and Nacra 17 C-Board division.