Ingham Takes Open European Title(Crouesty de Arzon, France)- There was no wind on the final day of the J/24 European Open Championship and the result was that all thirty-two crews (representing France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Great Britain, Brazil and United States) returned to shore to haul their boats and prepare for the awards ceremony earlier than many expected. Nevertheless, the regatta was warmly and enthusiastically embraced by Europe’s top J/24 teams as they enjoyed great sailing on the Bay of Biscay, excellent RC PRO work from Yacht Club du Crouesty Arzon, and fabulous shoreside evening activities at one of the nicer seaside resorts in France.
After counting seven races total over the four-day regatta, it was the British team of MADELEINE skippered by Duncan McCarthy that took the European crown with a remarkably consistent 2-2-2-3-9-4-3 record. Taking the Open European Championship was the American team of Mike Ingham with the amazingly low tally of four 1sts and a 2-3 for counters for just 9 pts total!
The
first day of racing had good enough weather conditions to test the
fleet with three races; and it also set the tone for the rest of the
regatta as the protagonists were immediately established at the head of
the fleet. Virtually tied on points were Ingham’s American team
(sitting on 5 pts) and Duncan’s MADELEINE crew (sitting on 6 pts). The
rest of the fleet was seemingly miles behind on speed, tactics and
execution. Lying third was the Italian Champion, Ignazio Bonanno
sailing LA SUPERBA. Frank Schonfeldt’s HENK was tied on points with LA
SUPERBA at 19 each. Then, with a strong showing the first day was the
Greek team on CATSIAPIS FOUNDATION helmed by Anthimos Nicolaidis in
fifth. In fact, just four points separated 5th from 10th after day one;
it was close racing! The top French boat was Francois De Herce on
MAJIC sitting in the 10th position and the top Irish boat was Flor
O’Driscoll’s HARD ON PORT.Despite a lousy first race on the second day, Ingham’s crew continued to extend their overall lead with a 14-2-1. Meanwhile, McCarthy hung on tight to second with a 3-9-4. The big climber up the ladder was Germany’s Daniel Frost sailing SG POWER SOLUTIONS, posting a 5-3-2 to grab third overall. Also, sailing “lights out” in the conditions was fellow German countryman Mark Karsunke skippering SULLBERG, powering their way into 4th overall with 1-1-6 finishes. Schonfeldt’s HENK team lost their edge, posting a 20-5-3 to drop into 5th.
The third day was great for some teams, definitely not so hot for other teams. In the “when you’re hot your hot” category, Ingham’s crew rolled off another bullet to ultimately win the regatta on a superior performance. McCarthy’s MADELEINE crew did the same, posting a 3rd to secure 2nd overall in the Open class and be declared winner of the J/24 Europeans 2015. Frost’s SG POWER SOLUTIONS scored a 10th, but hung on to 3rd overall and silver for the continent. Fourth overall and 3rd in Europe was Schonfeldt’s HENK. For more J/24 Europeans sailing information
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