Flying Dutchman Europeans at Club Nautico de Altea after Day 3

FD Europeans at Altea, Spain © Richard Phillips / www.esailor.co.uk

FD Europeans at Altea, Spain © Richard Phillips / www.esailor.co.uk

Sunshine, light winds, superb hospitality, 42 competitors, 9 nations

The FD European Championship 2012 hosted by Club Nautico Altea has now reached its mid point with 6 races sailed. The regatta inspection of the 42 boats was quickly and efficiently completed by the FD measurement team.

There was an exciting video presentation at the Opening Ceremony followed by well chosen words from a representative of each of the competing nations paying tribute to the start of the 60th Anniversary of the FD Class.

Two races were completed in light winds on the first day with ITA 4 leading the overall results after winning the first race and finishing fifth in the second race.

The second day saw a change in fortunes. DEN21 easily won the third race after a convincingly winning race 2 on day 1 but a BFD in the fourth race allowed HUN 70 which won the fourth race to top the overnight leader board with a comfortable 8 point lead over GER 98 which had shown consistency with a top 6 position in each race.

NED 26 had a better day with two thirds after two 8ths on the first day and thereby being placed 3rd overall after four races.

Day 3 dawned with little wind but during racing it increased to 10 knots. ITA 4 won race five and with a fourth in race 6 now discards a 16th in race 4 to pull up to second overall three points ahead of GER 98 which discards a 12th in race 6 having come second in Race 5. NED 26 recovered from a 13th (discarded) in race 5 to finish 3rd in race 6.

There is now a layday before racing resumes on Thursday for the second part of this 9 race series.

Results after 6 Races: (top six)

Full results and more information on the Club Nautico de Altea website