A big thunderstorm on the eve of the last day of racing caused wall to wall waves at the beach, breaking a long way out. The plan was for 2 Gold fleet races back to back - podium places were in the balance with all to play for. Silver fleet and the ladies would not be racing in these conditions.
The average wind speed on the course for the first Gold Fleet start was 15 knots but increasing . . . 16 knots but gusting 25! Recovery would be difficult - they could not be brought to the beach safely so would have to be recovered to the harbour.
The first finishers in the first race were - BRA 3333, ARG 3, ISR 1 but then the Race Officer decided it was not safe to continue with race two. The committee boat could not be anchored and it was not possible to hold position. With only 2 boats available and the wind forecast to increase there would be no more racing for the day and therefore the competition was over!
Top 3 Men –
Przemek Miarczynski (POL 013),
Arnon Dagan (ISR 1),
Michael Polonowski (POL 16)
Top 3 Women –
Olga Maslevits (UKR 9)
Agnieszka Pietrasik (POL 19)
Annika Valkna (EST 146)
First (European) Master – Martin Ervin (EST 202)
First Light - Alexandr Cousin (FRA 752)
First Youth - Andrius Sliuburys (LTU 153)
First Grand Master - Arvydas Moliusis (LTU 789) Final results - Men | Women
Photos:
Registration day / Day 1 - racing / Day 1 - more / Day 2 / Day 2 - more / Day 3 / Day 4 / Day 5 / Final day & Prize giving / VIDEO
Interviews with the Champions: Interview with Olga / Interview with Przemek
More on FW Class website . . .
Could one more race have made a difference to the outcome - with just one point between second and the European title?
Arnon had this to say after the event, "Well he had good gear and he is a great sailor + it was really light 8 to 12 knots shifty wind all the event until the last race. Pont is one of the best course racers in the world. He was already 3rd in the formula worlds in Santa Pola 2 years ago with more or less the same gear and he was 1st in the Europeans in Sopot as well."
Two races for all on day four and with a first and a third Przemek Miarczynski (POL 013) stays at the top of the gold fleet after 9 races. Arnon Dagan (ISR 1) with a third and a first is still just one point behind in second place, and Michael Polonowski (POL 10) is still in bronze position.
Wind conditions in the morning were shifty and unstable and it was mid afternoon before the gold fleet were able to start with an average windspeed in the starting area of 12 knots. An upwind finish was a good choice of course for the offshore wind. Two races were run for all fleets before packing up for the imminent storm.
In the women's fleet Olga Maslivets (UKR 9), with a perfect score of 9 after discards, is still first with Agnieszka Pietrasik (POL 19) 6 points behind in second, but Estonian Annika Valkna has nudged her way into third place.
Results: Men after 9 / Women after 12
Day Three - A good day's racing in Liepaja in side/onshore and 11 knots; sunny and windy - perfect. Przemek Miarczynski (POL 013) still heads the gold fleet after 7 races, Arnon Dagan (ISR 1) has moved up to second just one point behind, and Michael Polonowski (POL 10) is now in bronze position.
In the women's fleet the order stays the same with Olga Maslivets (UKR 9) in first, Agnieszka Pietrasik (POL19) in second and Nina Szymczyk (POL 213) in third. Olga and Agnieszka are streaking ahead taking all the bullets and second places between them.
Two races for Gold and Silver Fleets on day two of the FW Europeans, having completed the fourth race in the qualification series. Great conditions again - 11/12 knots - sunny and onshore, with a lot of waves! Przemek Miarczynski (POL 013), Casper Bouman (NED 52) and Arnon Dagan (ISR 1) currently head the gold fleet.
The women also now have six races under their belt. Top three are Olga Maslivets (UKR 9), Agnieszka Pietrasik (POL19) and Nina Szymczyk (POL 213)
Almost a hundred competitors are taking part in the FW European Championships in Liepaja, Latvia. 18 countries are represented with 90 men and 8 women racing separately from the men who race in two groups.
The first day saw some great racing, despite the ominous start when it seemed that Liepaja would not live up to its reputation - "the city where wind is born". It was a beautiful afternoon - sun and wind!
Current leaders are: (yellow / blue)
Brzozowski Wojtek / Dagan Arnon Miarczynski Przemek / Mokrzycki Hubert Bouman Casper / Costa Hoevel Gonzalo
Leading the ladies: Pietrasik Agnieszka, Szymczyk Nina, Maslivets Olga
This will be the first championship using the new Group Racing system approved at the 2009 FW AGM in Santa Pola. 4 races in qualification so with three races completed on day one, the mens fleet will split into Gold and Silver after race 4 on day 2.
