Buzz European Championships at La Rochelle

All the Buzz competitors arrived by the 23rd of July hoping to have a quick practise, unfortunately the wind was not to be and it was decided that going out in 30 plus knots before a championship to practise was maybe a bad idea.

The next day was the first racing day and we woke up to the same as before so racing was cancelled for the day by our race officer.

On the Wednesday we woke up to the complete opposite, next-to-nothing of wind, and we launched into just enough wind for racing and got stuck into the five races for the day. In the first race 763 (Stuart and Zoe) and 585 (Josh and Mike) were off the line together with 965 (Peter and David) just behind. 763 soon got a lead and at the top mark it was 763 then 585 and not far behind 965, it remained like this for the rest of the one lap race. The second race and at the top mark was 763 followed by 965 then 585. 585 managed to close the gap between them and 965 and rounded the windward mark just behind them, up the beat 763 extended their lead and the finishing order was 763, 965 and 585. Third race was the same with 763 extending their lead every lap and a close fought out battle between 965 and 585 with 965 leading every beat and 585 closing the gap every run, the finishing order was the same as the second race. Forth and fifth races were exactly the same and at the end of the last day 763 were leading with 965 in second and 585 just behind in third. That night was the crews dinner where the crews manged to dish all their dirt on their helms.

On the Thursday the wind had picked up a bit and the first race 763 shot off followed by 965 and 585, this was the order at the windward mark, on the run 585 managed to overtake 965 but lost their place by the next windward mark and on the last lap on the run 585 overtook again and took second with 763 in first and 965 in third. The next race 763 shot off again and at the top mark was 763 then 965 and then 585, this remained the order till the end. On the eighth race 763 once again shot off leaving 965 and 585 to battle it out with 965 taking second and 585 in third. That night was the grand meal provided by the sailing club.

The last day and 763 was secured in first and the battle was on between 585 and 965, the first race and 585 was first off the line but was soon overtaken by 763 who retained their lead to the end, 585 and 965 battled it throughout the race and it was 965 who took the second for that race, the last race of the series and 763 and 965 were off the line followed a little late by 585 who was busy fixing a kicker rather than watching the flags. This remained the order with 763 taking first overall with a perfect score card followed by 965 in second and 585 just behind in third.

The Buzz class would like to thank the sailing club for a great time on and off the water.

Overall Results: