In what turned out to be an absolutely fantastic day for sailing, the final fleet races in the 2012 EUROSAF Youth Sailing, European Championship, took place on Thursday 9th August, prior to the medals races which are to be sailed today,  Friday 10th August.

The forecast for today had been for light winds, much like those experienced across much of Western Europe the previous day, but the front has slowed down and left Aarhus with sufficient wind that the meals races will be sailed on time.

In the Girls Laser Radial fleet sailors from Italy, Denmark, Norway, France Great Britain and Germany will be competing in the medal race, while in the Boys fleet, the sailors will be from Norway, Denmark, Great Britain, France, Ireland, Italy and Russia.  None of the medals are a foregone conclusion, so racing for the gold medal will be keen.  In the 29er fleet the medals will be competed between Denmark, Germany, Poland, Norway, France and Italy and in the 420, between Italy France, Turkey and Great Britain, in both Boys and Girls fleets.  For the RS:X sailboard, the competition will be between Great Britain, France, Turkey, Italy and Germany in the Girls discipline, while in the Boys it will be contested between Great Britain, Italy, France, Sweden, Russia, Norway and Germany. 

Racing is due to commence at 11.00 CET and the order of sailing is Laser Boys, Laser Girls, 29er, RS:X Girls, RS:X Boys and 420 last, but not least.  Racing will use the normal format for medal races, as used by ISAF, but with one difference, in-as-much as sailors will be restricted to a ‘box’ are, outside of which they are not permitted to sail.  This version of the medal race was used during the EUROSAF High Performance Grand prix held in Murcia in 2011 and was very popular with the sailors at that event. 

In the nations’ Cup: Team Trophy, Italy are leading with 39 points, France second with 36 points and Great Britain third with 35 points, as at the end of sailing on Thursday.

The prize-giving and closing ceremony will take place one hour after the conclusion of racing.

The medal races commence at 11.00 CET Friday and can be followed via TracTrac

John Friend (EUROSAF)

See Yacht Racing - regattas images

Last Updated ( Friday, 10 August 2012 )