Europe Open at Chichester Yacht Club

Europe Open at Chichester © Paula Olliff

A glorious weekend of sunshine awaited the Europe class at Chichester, but with not much wind forecast there was a concern it would become a bit of a drifter.

Five Europes held a training session on the Saturday, with some good windward / leeward runs and sharing of tips and hints between the sailors.

Sunday dawned with very little wind, the excellent race team postponed for an hour and half before three races got under way.

New comer to the fleet Andy Palmer-Felgate in his new Synergy Marine Europe showed he could easily transfer his experience from the Aero & ILCA across into the Europe took an early lead in race 1, chased down by Lucy Boreham, who managed to get ahead on the 2nd upwind and secure the win, Adam Catlow in a close 3rd and Luke Lazell in 4th.

Race 2 stared just as the tide turned, meaning some different tactics were required, both Andy & Lucy took advantage of local knowledge to finish 1st & 2nd, with Richard Eagleton in 3rd.

Europe Open at Chichester - photo © Paula Olliff

It all came down to Race 3 for the overall, Lucy & Andy had a close race until the final upwind, when Lucy found the handbrake (lots of seaweed!) and Richard Eagleton took the opportunity to get ahead and finish 2nd to Andy.

Excellent race management meant the fleet all got ashore before the rapidly ebbing tide revealed the Chichester harbour mud.

The Europes have some excellent events coming up - HISC open meeting 17/18 May, the Nationals at Stokes Bay 30th May - 1st June and the much anticipated Youth & Masters early in July - if you haven't already its time to dust off the Europe and get on the water.

Overall Results: