Nacra 15 European Championship at Segel-Club St. Moritz
by MaxComm Communication 5 Jul 2021 01:41 PDT
26 June - 4 July 2021
2021 Nacra 15 Europeans © Guillaume Fischer
After eight races in typical Silvaplana conditions with the "Maloja" wind blowing from the south west, it is the French teams that take the first three places in the 2021 Open Nacra 15 European Championships.
The weather with the classical southwest wind pattern finally returned on Saturday after two days waiting with unstable wind conditions allowing the Championship to be sailed in perfect breeze putting in eight challenging races on the scoreboard.
The favourites did not disappoint. The French placed first, second and third in the open ranking. In these typical windy Silvaplana conditions, topping 18 knots, it was Clément Matineau and Thomas Proust, already bronze medallists from the Nacra 15 World Championships in 2018. The regularity of the male team from La Rochelle allowed them to win gold not only in the Open ranking but also the under 19 years ranking (U19). Only 3 points separated them from the second team, Camille Rigaud and Julien Moutarde. The mixed team from Brittany, Manolo Geslin Grimaud and Marion Declef, equal on points with second, only losing to last race countback in ultra-tight racing, take the Open bronze, and the U19 silver.
Clément Martineau: "We are very happy to win the European Championships in Silvaplana. It was a really good regatta in difficult shifty conditions, but our regularity paid off."
Switzerland's Nacra 15 champion Axel Grandjean and Noémie Fehlmann wins two out the three races on Sunday and climbs to fourth position overall and completes the U19 podium with a bronze.
Noémie Fehlmann: "This was our first International regatta together since a long time, and during the first races we were able to compare our level to the other competitors. After settling in, we were able to win three of total eight races which was great. We are super happy."
The French again showed their strength in the U16 catagory, with Thipaine Ridea and Titouan Moreau takes first and gold. In silver we have, again French team, Youan Champs and Gwilherm Cadic and the bronze goes to the Belgium team Mateo Leclercq and Leanoard Martens.
Without surprise, the Nations Trophy is won by France, ahead of Belgium and Italy. These European Championships firmly mark the welcomed re-start of International Nacra 15 events.
Overall Results:
1. Clément Martineau & Thomas Proust (France) - Proust Sailing
2. Camille Rigaud & Julien Moutarde (France)
3. Manolo Geslin Grimaud & Marion Declef (France)
U19
1. Clément Martineau & Thomas Proust (France) - Proust Sailing
2. Manolo Geslin Grimaud & Marion Declef (France)
3. Axel Grandjean & Noémie Fehlmann (Suisse) - McQueen
U16
1. Thipaine Rideau & Titouan Moreau (France) - Sailing Together
2. Youen Champs & Gwilherm Cadic (France)
3. Mateo Leclercq & Leonard Mertens (Belgique) - OOO
Full results can be found here...
Next up being the Nacra Championships in Gravedona, lake Como in August, followed by the Nacra 15 World Championships in La Grand Motte late October / early Nov and the World Sailing, Youth World Championships in Oman mid December.
For more information visit www.races.ch/nacra15-european-2021