From www.rsxclass.com after Saturday’s culmination of the 2011 Princess Sophia Regatta for Olympic sailing classes in Palma: Marina Alabau (ESP) wins by 17 points, Dorian van Rijsselberge (NED) by 18. Laura Linares (ITA) judged to jump the start  in the women’s medal race so crashes out of  the medals. Nick Demspsey (GBR) finishes 10th in the medal race so handing the silver medal to Tom Ashley  (NZL) but hangs on to the bronze.

The two RS:X medal races in Palma certainly were packed with drama, disappointment and pleasure in equal measure. Marina sailed a steady medal race staying in touch with Eugenie Ricard (FRA) in the lead and making no mistakes to launch her European racing season with a big win. Charline Picon (FRA) claimed the silver medal and so tightened her grip on her claim to be selected for London 2012. The drama and the disappointment played out in the fight for the bronze medal. Laura Linares (ITA) went into the medal race having put together a steady series and with real belief that she had done enough to take the bronze only to be called over the line at the start. The race committee signalled this. She did not return to start correctly. The result was that she picked up maximum points. In one dramatic moment, she handed the bronze medal and the first Olympic qualification regatta to her nemesis, Alessandra Sensini.

Over in the RS:X men’s fleet, Dorian kept in touch with Nimrod Nashiah (ISR) who went on to win the medal race. A big win for Dorian. Now he has to make a habit of it. If he does, when the pressure is really on, he will be able to hang on to the lead. Being the ‘nearly’ man is no longer going to cut it. There are expectations he has to fulfill.

It was Nick Dempsey’s turn to blow up this time. Finishing last in the medal race, gave him maximum points. His lead over Tom in third was not big enough to soak up the points so, at the last, what could have been a good  start to the European season turned to painful disappointment. Nick sets high standards for himself. He will certainly will be kicking himself over this loss of form.

The ISAF Sailing World Cup nopw moves to Hyere France and the  Semaine Olympique Francaise starting April 22nd.

Princess Sofia Regatta: RS:X Men’s Results

Princess Sofia Regatta: RS:X Women’s Results

Check out the final day’s medal races below…

http://mpora.com/videos/BE6guTCmn