Tornado European Championships - Team Redbull emerge victorious

by Andrew Dowley on 8 Jun 2012 The 2012 Tornado European Championships took place between 2-5 June in Warder, Holland. A fleet of thirteen boats arrived to try and knock the Greek team of Iordanis Paschalidis and Trigonis Konstantinos off their perch and prevent them from winning their fifth European Title in a row.

Day one provided the sailors with perfect conditions, a force three breeze with gusts. As with any championships, the sailors started a little keen with some people over the line on race one. Race two was made more interesting for the sailors with very different wind conditions across the course and plenty of shifts.

At the end of day one, there was a surprise with the other Greek team of Niklos Mavros and Alexandros Targarpolous taking the lead with two bullets from the races.

In the evening the team at Warder sailing club put on a fantastic BBQ and a good social in the sunshine.

Day two's weather conditions changed dramatically when the rain, cold and strong winds arrived which caused a postponement at the start of the day. By 12pm the fleet were on their way out to the start area with three races scheduled. Although wet the wind conditions were excellent for the sailors with some interesting battles and changing of positions throughout the three races.

Team Redbull managed to pull back in front with three race wins which put them on top of the fleet at the end of day two.

What looked like a light breeze on day three quickly built to 15 knots creating similar conditions and sailing to day two. In race two and three the wind dropped slightly for the sailors. At the end of day three the Greeks had added another three bullets to their scorecard and were on their way to winning another European Championships.

That evening the sailors all met at the local pub for dinner and drinks along with the organisers and race officials.

Warmer conditions were in store on day four but unfortunately the sunshine killed the wind, there was just enough to start and complete one race which was to be the last of the 2012 Tornado European Championships. No prizes for guessing who took the race victory.

A big thank you to Warder Sailing Club and the race organisers for putting on some great racing.

Final Results:

1. Iordanis Pachalidis and Kostas Trigonas
2. Nikos Mavros and Alexandros Tagaropoulos
3. Roland and Nahid Gaebler
4. Markus Werner Betz and Nikolas Betz
5. David and Adam – Czech Ocean Team
6. Arndt Meyer and Manfred Syrowy
7. Dieter Mauer and Maren Odefey
8. Thomas Weindl and Birgit Klaunig
9. Klaus Rocholl and Sven Rausch
10. Michaela and Andrew Dowley
11. Robert de Held and Joris van de Kreeke
12. Barry Arnison ad Nicole Davy
13. Jim Mundy and Kevin Lott

Tornado Class Tornado Championships website