Hobie 16 with spi Youth Europeans 2007 - Final

by Diana Bogaards on 2 Aug 2007
On Tuesday, the French team of Antoine Lauriot-Prevost and Alix Previer won the Hobie 16 with spinnaker Youth Europeans. After a tough conclusion of this year’s championship, the Frenchmen turned out to be the strongest.

The combination of a wild surf and a light onshore wind caused some difficulties. During the day, the northwester breeze dropped from eight to about four knots. Three more races were sailed, but the last one was abandoned due to the time limit. Former leaders Thomas Richards and Olivier Kersuzan won silver, followed by the Italians Vittorio Bissaro and Lamberto Cesari.

The Dutchmen Rob Sprij and Sam Frank just missed the podium. The ISAF Youth World Champions Glover/Glover climbed with two bullets to a fifth position on the leader board.

'It was very difficult today', said Alix Previer while taking away the spinnaker pole for the Open Europeans Hobie 16. 'The light wind was variable and the waves huge, but we did do well. We are better in flatter water, like on the first two days.'

The new European Youth Champions will now try their luck in the Open Europeans Hobie 16. 'Our goal is to finish top twelve, which would make it a very good week for us.'

Disappointment

Thomas Richards, representing France, looked a bit dissatisfied after returning ashore. He dropped from the first to the second position overall. 'I am definitely disappointed. We had a bad first race and we were overtaken by the French just before the last finish. There was hardly any wind left in that race, which made it extremely difficult.'

According to the silver skipper there were also many differences in pressure. Richards and Kersuzan are pre qualified for the Gold Fleet of the Open Hobie 16 Europeans. Richards: 'It is completely different without spinnaker. I enjoy that, since it is more tactical and it is easier to gain places.'

After all boats were in, Race Director Rob Hoogstra decided to abandon the last race of the day.

Hoogstra: 'I received the wrong finish time. They had to be in within 90 minutes and the real finish time of the first team turned out to be 110 minutes.' Despite the beautiful sunset, the international jury worked overtime in the evening, as there were 25 protests.

Tomorrow, the gold fleet will start competing for the European title in the Open Hobie 16 Europeans 2007.

Top five final ranking Youth Europeans Hobie 16 with spi 2007:

1. FRA – Lauriot-Prevost/Pervier, 27 points
2. FRA - Richards/Kersuzan, 28 points
3. ITA – Bissaro/Cesari, 28 points
4. NED – Sprij/Frank, 33 points
5. GBR – Glover/Glover, 41 points