(Angelholm, Sweden)- For the first time in decades, the European J/24
sailors are making a migration north into Scandinavia to sail the J/24
European Championship. The event takes place from the 9th to 15th of
August and will be hosted by ÄSSS Sailing Club in Ängelholm, south-west
of Sweden. The Championship organization and host municipality of
Ängelholm are proud and honored to have the J/24 sailors as their guest
and look forward to rolling out the red carpet for the thirty-seven
teams that are participating from seven countries (Denmark, England,
Germany, Italy, Monaco, Sweden and USA).The single largest contingent participating are the twenty-five German boats, mostly from the northern parts of the country— it’s a quick and easy drive north across Denmark and into SW Sweden for them. Many of their top sailors who’ve participated in past Europeans and Worlds are in attendance, as well as a number of their top women teams. Look for Peer Kock (UK SAILMAKERS), Peter Langhans (OSTE STROLCH), Lars Gibbe (HANSA PROJEKT), Nikolas Honnef (HIGH FIVE), Jan Kahler (UNITED 5), Johann Huhn (HUNGRIGER WOLF), Stefan Karsunke (SULLBERG), Frank Schonfeldt (HENK), Tobias Feuerherdt (MS EUROPA 2), Manfred Konig (VITESSE) and Frithjof Schade (JJ ONE) to be among the top German teams. Also, look for their top women’s teams, like Stephanie Koepcke (VEGA RAGAZZA) and Corina Thiermann (AVALANCHA) to be a factor if the conditions are in the light to medium range.
In addition to the five teams from Sweden, top America sailor Mike Ingham will be racing, as will Dennis Frederiksen from YC Monaco sailed PAGET, Giacomo Del Nero from Italy sailing MOLLICONA, and Paul Holzer from Denmark racing GAMMELDANSKEN. A trio of UK teams hope to repeat some of their good performances from last year’s Europeans sailed at YC Monaco, including the defending champion Chris McLaughlin on IL RICCIO, Roger Morris sailing JOLLY ROGER and William Pollock skippering FLYING COLOURS.
"This time of year our beautiful beach is very popular with tourists and vacationers. The weather in mid-August usually offers beautiful and serene weather, ideal for sailing and especially for the J/24,” said Kjell Holst, Chairman of Organising Committee. “On behalf of the Organizing Committee would like to express our gratitude to the town of Ängelholm whose commitment and support have made this event possible in a place where in the early '80s was founded the first Swedish sailing high school. The program also provides some fun social events that will be organized in typical Swedish style. Once again, a warm welcome to all participants and their companions!" For more J/24 Europeans sailing information