RS:X EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS – DAY FOUR

MIARCZYNSKI ACCELERATING AWAY

2 light air races for the men and then the women’s fleet gets hit with a black flag!

Limassol, Cyprus- The fleets had a rest day yesterday so were eager to get under way today. However the wind seemed strangely reluctant. It maxed out at 8 knots but generally could only manage 5 or 6. Qingdao here we come!
 
The Gold fleet got going at 1100hrs and stayed in a tight knot. This was going to be a test of mental agility, tactics, technique and fitness. It was crunch time for the heavier sailors too.  Pont, as Przemyslaw Miarczynski (POL) is known, was by no means the lightest guy out there, never is, and so was generally expected to suffer in these conditions. He flies in a breeze, but someone must have flicked a switch in his brain, it seems, because he racked up a 3rd in the first race then topped that by winning the second. He’s now the clear leader overall!
 
Fabian Heidegger (ITA), 2nd overall, had a better first race finishing second, but blew the second which has cost him valuable points. He has to keep the pressure on, if his dream of stepping onto the podium is to stay alive. PIOTR MYSZKA (POL), now in 3rd overall, was consistent taking an 8th in the first race, and then a 2nd.  But 4th place man, Joao Rodrigues (POR) has it all to play for with only 9 points separating him from 2nd place man Fabian.
 
Last out was the women’s fleet who had a few problems today. Unable to get away after three postponements within the last minute of the sequence, they made their fourth attempt under a black flag. Eight competitors were over at the start which was subject to a ‘general’ anyway. They now have to sit out this 7th  race. Barbara Kendal (NZL) was one of the BFD unfortunates so she’ll discard this nightmare score but this still leaves her with little room to maneuver.
 
By this time, the breeze had died so the fleet was sent ashore where they waited under an AP for an hour. The wind came back at a steady six knots so out they went to try again. Success! Faustine Merret (FRA) took the win reveling the in the new breeze and keen to take full advantage of the smaller fleet. She went hard left off the start, blowing away second place Marina Albau (ESP) whose consistency is starting to build a nice cushion. Alessandra Sensini (ITA) has taken a step up today to take 2nd overall and looks set to make a late charge.
 
The women and Gold Fleet men are up first tomorrow with the the silver fleet being relegated to the afternoon session. However, the forecast is for more light air so it could be another tough day. For the latest updates from the European Championships at www.rsxclass.com/europeans.html