Mirror Europeans - Final report and results

by P Rust on 14 Aug 2008 The Mirror European Championships were held over four days at Gottskar, in a picturesque Fyord south of Gothenberg, Sweden in mainly light and variable winds. The shifty conditions lead to exciting racing with positions changing on every beat and gains to be made downwind by playing the gusts and getting in a clear lane.

The depth of standard showed with seven different race winners including excellent results for some younger crews. Charlotte Fitzgerald and Annie Sibthorpe topped a super week with a win on day 3 whilst Millie Newman and Mike Conlan won 2 races to end up as the top under 16 boat. However consistency was the key to success for Brightlingsea Sailing Club sailors Chris Rust and Ollie Newman who sailed with a positive attitude to win the Championships.

Day 1 and 2 had seen brother and sister, Ed and Beth Grey build a steady lead using their expertise at playing windshifts and with excellent down wind speed. Rust and Newman were lying second with a string of steady results whilst the Barry sisters were counting an 11th having discarded an 18th following a capsize in race 2 when well placed. A strong Irish challange was led by Ross Kearney with Katy Jones who were also counting a string of top ten finishes.

Day 3 saw the father and Daughter partnerhsip of Mike and Sarah Hill from Royal Belfast Yach Club pulling through to second with an excellent win and 2 other top 5 results but the other top crews were also fighting hard to keep their hopes alive approaching the last day. The competeiveness resulted in a protest and disqualification for the Grey twins in race 9, though they still held a big lead going into the final day.

Day 4 was greeted with another grey start and the crews sailed out to the start in light winds. However a nearby water spout and a heavy downpour was the sign of a change in the weather and the clouds cleared to provide a perfect day of champagne sailing conditions in a steady force 3-4.

The first two races saw Rust and Newman scoring a 5th and 3rd whilst the Greys baged a 6th and 9th. At the start of the final race a 8 point margin still kept the Greys in a strong lead but Rust and Newman and the Barrys were still in with a chance of winning the event.

The final race saw the eventual winners striving for a first win of the week and the Greys needing a finish in the top ten to retain the lead. The overall lead changed several times but as Rust and Newman led round the final mark they just held a nine place lead over the Greys. However, the Greys, pushing hard to gain the single place they needed to win the championship made a rare mistake and ended up with a capsize, allowing the Barry sisters to take 2nd overall.

Commmenting on the results Pete Aitken, head coach for the RYA said, 'The level of sailing demonstrated by all the sailors was great to see. At the end consistency won the week however we have been equally pleased to have had all our young GBR team showing that they can race competively at the highest level.'

A deligheted Rust and Newman said, 'It was great to win a major event as we have been sailing together for three years and have been working hard to get towards the top of the fleet. I think our team work and preparation paid off when it came to the last day'

Mirror Europeans - Top ten places:

1st GBR 70537 C Rust/O Newman (46)
2nd GBR 69776 E&M Barry (55)
3rd GBR 70515 E&B Grey (57)
4th IRL 70533 M&S Hill (62)
5th IRL 70506 R Kearney/K Jones (70)
6th GBR 69906 M Newman/M Conlan (71)
7th GBR 70502 C Fitzgerald/A Sibthorp (87)
8th GBR 70356 D Conlon/M Bond (89)
9th GBR 70477 B Sweeney/M Ligema (89)
10th IRL 70428 M Boylan/E Hickey (94)

Full results available on www.ukmirrorsailing.com or http://raceweek.org