Day Reports

Monday 9th August

Unfortunately light and shifting winds meant that the first race had to be abandoned because of the time limit. There was insufficient wind to hold a race and at 1630 racing was abandoned for the day. Race 1 will be sailed on Tuesday.

Unofficial thought - the race committee is considering asking the moon to alter course to stop it blocking out the sun on Wednesday to allow sailing to continue instead of the eclipse taking the limelight.

Tuesday 10th August

15 international 420 dinghy racing teams competing in the 420 Junior European Championships finally started their racing series yesterday after

the first day’s races had been postponed on account of poor wind conditions. As a result of losing the races on day 1, the fleet was extremely keen to get on with racing and a great deal of pushing over the line took place. Four starts, 2 Z-flags and 2 black flags were necessary before the fleet got away in Race 1 and 4 boats were disqualified. The black flag was used from the start in the second race and 2 boats were again disqualified but only one start was required to get the fleet sailing.

Conditions throughout the day were light and the wind was variable in strength, mainly from NNW. The considerable swell of the previous day which had led to a certain amount of seasickness amongst sailors and support boats, had diminished. The race committee watched the wind with anxiety during the second race as the wind died and the possibility of another postponement raised its head. Many boats rafted at the gybe mark with much shouting and many protests were threatened. Fortunately, the wind filled in again to 6-8 knots and was sufficient to complete races 2 and 3.

A trapezoid course with an outside loop was used for all 3 races and was laid outside the breakwater. The third race was shortened by leaving out the sausage leg as the wind began to fail again.

Overnight a British pair, Ian and Chris Martin are leading the regatta lying comfortably in front of the Ann-Claire Leberre and Marie Riou (France) by 8 points. Local sailors, Rob Watson and Mark Ellis and Nicky Barnes and Jemima Marshall are lying in the middle of the 78 boat fleet.

Several distractions provided additional interest to the racing:-in the first race a German square rigger sailed straight through the fleet. Luckily all teams continued racing regardless. In addition, a submarine left port, and a basking shark was spotted!

The Regatta is being hosted by Royal Plymouth Corinthian Yacht Club and sailing is taking place from the newly reconstructed Mount Batten Centre for water sports. The day finished with a barbeque, disco and spectacular firework display off Mount Batten point.
Wednesday 11th August

The eclipse took place but cloud obscured the view! They have just gone out sailing though at 14:30 as it is light enough!

Numerous starts were attempted on Wednesday but general recalls prevailed. No races were completed.

Thursday 12th August

On Thursday 4 races have been completed but 27 protests have been submitted and only 10 have been held at the moment. Results are hoped for soon.

Friday 14 August

French Continue to dominate Youth Sailing

The Championship was won outright Nicolas Charbonnier and David Dequine, giving them the triple crown , after having won the ISAF Youth Worlds and the recent 420 World Championships in Athens. The French again dominated the Junior European Championships at Plymouth by gaining 4 of the top 6 places.

All 10 races scheduled for the 420 Junior European Championships were sailed in variable weather conditions.

Blazing sunshine and wind Force 2/3 for day 4, races 4,5,6,7 and wind Force 3-4 for the last 3 races on Day 5.

15 countries were represented and 78 boats participated.

First British boat :- Ian and Chris Martin 10th

First British girl boat:- Karen Greenland and Kate Sanders 19th

This page was last updated on 22-Aug-1999 17:52. 420 UK Webmaster, Mike Greenland, [email protected]