The 49er and 49erFX European Championships, along with the Nacra 17 World Championship, have kicked off in La Grande Motte in the South of France. This marks the final major event before the Olympic Games this summer. Day one in La Grande Motte saw challenging conditions for the 148 teams competing, with a heavy and shifty offshore breeze. Today offered many opportunities to gain, but likewise, to lose.
In the 49er fleet, the British emerged leading both of the qualifying fleets, but James Peters and Fynn Sterritt claimed the top spot on the leaderboard after day 1. This puts the Olympic representatives two points ahead of their teammates, Grummett and Hawes. The recently crowned World Champions Erwan Fischer and Clement Pequin are currently in fifth place.
Italy’s Jana Germani and Giorgia Bertuzzi are among the favourites for a podium finish this week, and they showcased their class in the rough sea state on day 1. The Italians' consistent results of three fifth places give them an early lead over Ronja Grönblom and Veera Hokka (FIN) in second overall. The Finns won the last race of the afternoon, putting them a point ahead of Steph Roble and Maggie Shea (USA). The “local” team of Sarah Steyaert and Charline Picon showed good form by winning the opening race of the series.
Moving onto the Nacra 17 World Championships, where Paul Kohlhoff and Alica Stuhlemmer (GER) won the first race. A chaotic pitchpole led to major damage to their rudder, and Kohlhoff sustaining a minor injury to his leg put them out for the day. Italy’s Ruggero Tita and Caterina Banti won races two and three to take the lead after day 1. The Swedish duo of Ida Svensson and Marcus Dackhammar are second overall after scoring a 2, 1, 6. In third place are New Zealanders Micah Wilkinson and Erica Dawson, marginally ahead of John Gimson and Anna Burnet (GBR) in fourth overall.
All results are available online