Six Metre European Championship 2024 at Real Club Nautico de Sanxenxo – Day 5
by Fiona Brown 5 Oct 01:13 PDT
4 October 2024
Aida en route to securing two Classic Division victories – Day 5 of the Six Metre European Championship © SailingShots by Maria Muiña
The sun finally made an appearance on day five of the International Six Metre European Championships 2024 Trofeo Xacobeo, leading to a shakeup on the leaderboards as races six and seven of the eight-race series were completed for both Open and Classic Divisions, with the single scoring discard coming into effect.
Once again, there was an initial delay as visibility improved and the wind settled. However, the wait proved worthwhile, with both races conducted in light, pleasantly warm, and somewhat shifty southwesterly breezes of six to eight knots. After wet and windy conditions earlier in the regatta, this change was a welcome relief for the teams.
In the Open Division, fresh contenders emerged as the overnight leaders encountered difficulties. Henrik Andersin’s Oiva (2022 Allan Savolainen) achieved second and third places, elevating its position from third to a five-point overall lead. Jeremy Thorp’s Battlecry (1988 Ian Howlett), starting the day in fifth, added two fifths to his scorecard, climbing to second place. Just a single point behind him is Rainer Muller’s Junior (1981 Pelle Petterson), helmed by Loic Forestier, who fell from the lead after securing seventh and eighth positions.
Defending Open Division Champion Dieter Schoen’s Momo (2022 Judel Vrolijk) has faced challenges this week but regained form today, winning race six and finishing second in race seven, placing her fourth overall, tied on points with Junior. Also, not performing to her usual level was Violeta Alvarez’s Stella (2017 Juan Kouyoumdjian), who recorded sixth and eighth, dropping from second to fifth, just a point behind Junior and Momo. The other race winner of the day was Nick and Fotis Lykiardopolou’s Aera (1988 Pelle Petterson), who scored a fourth and then triumphed in race seven, finishing the day in sixth overall.
A pre-start port/starboard incident occurred between Eugenio Galdon Brugarolas’ Maybe XIV and Basil Vasiliou’s Jane Ann, skippered by Steffan Lindberg, which unfortunately left Jane Ann holed above the waterline. Maybe XIV retired from the race, and the Jury awarded Jane Ann average points, causing her to drop from fourth to sixth overall.
Onshore, Henrik Andersin expressed his satisfaction with Oiva’s performance. “Today was very challenging, and we didn’t have much wind. It felt odd to be waiting for so long. We believed it was tough to sail; the camaraderie in the Open Class is fantastic. We support and help each other, so things are going well. I think our crew is very happy too!”
In the Classic Division, His Majesty King Juan Carlos’ Bribon (1947 Arvin Laurin) initially took an eighth in race six, which was discarded immediately, followed by a fourth in race seven. This was enough to maintain her overall lead in the Classic Division. However, Ossi Paija’s Astree II (1959 Bjarn Aas) performed better with two second places, now just a single point behind Bribon.
Ten points back in third place in the Classics is Mauricio Sanchez-Bella Carswell’s Titia (1952 David Boyd) after two seventh places. However, the standout boat of the day in the Classic fleet was undoubtedly Francisco Botas’ Aida (1931 Alfred Mylne), driven by Javier De La Gandara Alonso, who delivered a remarkable performance to win both races, moving into fourth overall, four points ahead of Louis Heckly’s Fun (1937 Olin Stephens), which recorded fourth and ninth placements, dropping one spot in the rankings.
Diego Fernandez of Aida noted that the conditions significantly influenced their double victory. “It was a light wind day that suited our boat. We caught the right shifts, had a strong start, and maintained steady racing. Everything clicked, and the boat performed very well and fast. After days of strong winds and large waves when the boat struggled, we were somewhat stressed, but today the conditions suited us, and the crew was thrilled. It’s one of those days when everything must be perfect to achieve two firsts; otherwise, competitors will surpass you. The racing is incredibly tough, with all excellent boats, skilled helms, and proficient trimmers. We’re all closely matched, and you have to inch forward meter by meter.”
With one race remaining on the final day of competition, the standings in both Divisions remain uncertain. The forecast for the last day is complex, with heavy rain almost certain, and wind conditions varying between south and southwest, potentially ranging from six to thirty knots. Fortunately, both the Race Committee at Real Club Nautico de Sanxenxo and the sailors are keen to meet the challenge, leading us to anticipate a thrilling final showdown.
