The 2024 ILCA Master European Championships finished in Vilamoura, Portugal, after five days of competition. Days began with a long postponement on shore due to a lack of wind. It was surprising because everyone expected stormy weather, but instead, we had sunshine and no breeze in the mornings.
The weather in Villamoura, Portugal, during the 2024 ILCA Masters European Championships, held from October 5 to 11, was tricky and challenging.
Ultimately, the long waits on the water and several returns to the harbor were rewarded on the third and fifth days of racing. Stronger wind conditions were accompanied by high ocean waves reaching up to 2.5 meters and relatively steady winds. Four races were completed for each class, except ILCA 7 (GM & GGM – only 3 races).
TOP sailors in each category:
ILCA 7 Apprentice Master
- Wannes Van Laer BEL 3 pt
- Lorenzo Cerretelli ITA 11 pt
- Francesco Bottoni ITA 17 pt
ILCA 7 Master
- Adonis Bougiouris GRE 7 pt
- Carlos Echavarri Erasun 13 pt
- Leandro Rosado ESP 16 pt
ILCA 7 Grand Master
- Roger Schulz GER 11 pt
- Benoit Meesemaecker FRA 16 pt
- Ari Barshi DOM 25 pt
ILCA 7 Great Grand Master
- Jose Luis Doreste Blanco ESP 3 pt
- Jose Maria Van der Ploeg ESP 9 pt
- Tim Law GBR 15 pt
ILCA 6 Apprentice Master
- Marcin Rudawski POL 3 pt
- Mateusz Hanke POL 8 pt
- Adil Khalid UAE 11 pt
For Marcin Rudawski, this is his 9th championship medal. He won it by securing victory in 3 out of 4 races. On his profile after the regatta, he wrote: “Returning to sailing after a 5-year break, I secretly dreamed of a medal. However, I didn’t know how much of my skills I had lost during that time, how much I had forgotten, and what limitations my age would impose on me. It turned out that sailing stays in the blood."
ILCA 6 Apprentice Master Women
- Alice Grassi ITA 56 pt
- Georgia Chimona GRE 80 pt
ILCA 6 Master
- Jon Emmett GBR 5 pt
- Dimitrios Theodorakis GRE 11 pt
- Alessio Marinelli ITA 12 pt
ILCA 6 Master Women
- Marina Sanchez Ferrer ESP 53 pt
- Alexandra Behrens GER 72 pt
- Nathalie Gunst BEL 80 pt
ILCA 6 Grand Master
- Carlos Martinez ESP 4 pt
- Steve Cockerill GBR 9 pt
- Carlos Wanderley BRA 13 pt
ILCA 6 Legend
- Jonathan Andron USA 3 pt
- Jacques Kerrest USA 7 pt
- Jaap Mazereeuw NED 8 pt
Races in the ILCA Legend category proved to be exceptionally exciting, with as many as 17 participants. They represented 10 countries, including 8 from outside Europe: the USA (4), Brazil (2), Australia (1), and Canada (1). All participants commanded respect with their prowess on the water and humility on land. Among them was the oldest participant of the Championships, 89-year-old Claude Tigier, who was honored by the Jury.
ILCA 6 Grand Master Women
- Sarah Cockerill GBR 51 pt
- Ann Loren SWE 115 pt
- Claudine Tatibouet FRA 119 pt
ILCA 6 Great Grand Master
- Miguel Noguer ESP 6 pt
- Max Hunt GBR 8 pt
- Terry Scutcher GBR 9 pt
ILCA 6 Great Grand Master Women
- Isabelle Arnoux FRA 52 pt
- Heleen Walters NED 78 pt
- Katinka Dirken NED 108 pt
Congratulations to the medalists!
Results: here
Fot. Agustin Arguelles / EURILCA