2024 Six Metre European Championship at Real Club Nautico de Sanxenxo – Day 1
by Fiona Brown 30 Sep 12:53 PDT
30 September 2024
Day 1 of the Six Metre European Championship © SailingShots by Maria Muiña
The first day of the Six Metre European Championships at the Real Club Nautico de Sanxenxo began with damp, calm conditions, but by early afternoon, a gentle southerly breeze filled in, allowing the race committee to run the series’ opening race. The stunning Six Metres appeared almost magical as the sun broke through the mist at the race’s conclusion.
Both the Open and Classic Division fleets displayed extraordinary competitiveness, resulting in tight racing with no relaxations. In the Classic Division, the defending Classic European Champion, His Majesty King Juan Carlos of Spain, on his Bribon (1947 Arvid Laurin design), took the early lead but faced ongoing pressure from Ossi Paija’s Astree III (1959 Bjarn Aas design), from Finland. At the finish line, the margin between the leading boats was just over a boat length, with Louis Heckly’s Fun (1937 Olin Stephen design) claiming third.
Following the race, His Majesty expressed satisfaction with their performance, acknowledging the challenges ahead: “I’m very pleased to have secured first place, though the day was complex with shifting winds and varying pressure. More racing lies ahead, and we will see if we can maintain our lead.”
In the Open Division, victory went to Basil Vasilou’s Jane Ann (1985 Pelle Petterson design), helmed by Steffan Lindberg and representing the New York Yacht Club. Leading from the start, Jane Ann faced tough competition from a pack of challengers. Ultimately, Rainer Muller’s Junior of Switzerland, skippered by Loic Forestier (1981 Pelle Petterson design), finished behind Jane Ann, while Rainer Muller’s Duclop (1982 Pelle Petterson design) secured third with Frank Narbone at the helm.
The day kicked off with a briefing from Race Officer Alejandro Martin De Pazos, who informed competitors about an initial postponement but expressed hope for at least one race. The fleet was kept ashore for an hour before heading to sea. Despite the lingering drizzle and mist, conditions gradually improved, allowing both fleets to start the first race. Unfortunately, the wind had not yet stabilized, and it died down on the first run, prompting the committee to abandon the race.
The Race Committee maintained composure, keeping competitors informed, and eventually, the wind returned, allowing racing to resume. The Open Division fleet was eager, requiring two general recalls before the black flag signaled a clean start. The Classics experienced a better start, although Ebsen Poulsson’s Aera, skippered by Robert Holbrook, and Catalin Trandafir’s Essentia both jumped the start and had to return. While the wind was more consistent, it remained light and very shifty, providing challenges for mark layers and ample strategic opportunities for tacticians.
After a lengthy day on the water, the teams were delighted to come back to the Real Club Nautico de Sanxenxo’s Race Village, which offered the renowned Galician hospitality. Two additional races are scheduled for tomorrow, with the first start set for noon. Racing continues until Saturday, October 5, with a total of eight races planned.
Full results: toa.6meuropeans2024.com/results
Tracking: 6meuropeans2024.com/en/tracking-2
Event website: 6meuropeans2024.com
Open division after Day 1:
USA 105 – Jane Anne – Steffan Lindberg – 1
SUI77 – Junior – Loic Forestier – 2
SUI100 – Duclop – Frank Narbone – 3
GBR89 – Battlecry – Jeremy Thorp – 4
FIN81 – Oiva – Henrik Andersin – 5
Classic division after Day 1:
ESP 16 – Bribon – His Majesty King Juan Carlos – 1
FIN80 – Astree – Ossi Paija – 2
FRA11 – Fun – Louis Heckly – 3
ESP72 – Titia – Mauricio Sanchez-Bella Carswell – 4
ESP50 – Alibaba II – Miguel Lago Cereceda – 5
Comments from the sailors:
Upon arriving at the RCNS docks, King Juan Carlos shared his impressions from day one of the regatta in Ria de Pontevedra: “I am thrilled to announce that we are in first place, though it was challenging due to the constantly shifting winds and the pressure’s fluctuations. Many competition days remain, and we will aim to maintain our lead.”
Jane Abascal, competing on “Bribon” from Cantabria, added, “The atmosphere onboard is fantastic; the King supports us wholeheartedly, inspiring us to aim for another title—let’s see if we can achieve it.”
Staffan Lindberg, skipper of “Jane Ann,” remarked, “We managed to start strongly and maintain our lead throughout the race, which we’re thrilled about. This is a highly competitive regatta, with every team exhibiting speed and experience. Competing alongside these professionals is a great privilege for me,” he concluded.
