RS:X European Championships at Vilamoura, Portugal - Overall
by Jon Emmett / RS:X Class 30 Nov 2020 06:29 GMT
22-28 November 2020
And that's a wrap! The 2020 RS:X Europeans came together in spectacular style with a full planing medal race. Whilst initially held on shore the fleet launched shortly after one o'clock and although the wind was up and down it was mainly above 13 knots.
Charline Picon said she was concerned about her speed in the breeze but it turned out that she had nothing to worry about! At the top mark it was Emma Wilson GBR in the lead and at that stage in Gold medal winning position. However, an incident with Katy Spychakov ISR near the leeward gate saw Wilson doing a turn. Picon grabbed the lead shortly after the windward mark and held it to the finish, a perfect way for her to end her championships. Spychakox took 2nd in the race and 2nd overall and a disappointing 10th for Wilson who will surely bounce back gave Zofia Noceti Klepacka POL the bronze medal.
In the Men's fleet Yoav Cohen had worn the yellow bib every day so the championships was his to lose, something he was determined not to let happen. Also, like the Women, it is the Israel Olympic trials for the Men, so the whole team are firing on all cylinders.
With even more wind than the Women the fleet seemed to arrive at the reach mark in one mass. Tom Squires GBR got pushed high but soon charged through the fleet. It was World Champion Kiran Badloe NED who grabbed the lead and extended away from the fleet. 2nd place was Shahar Zubari from Israel, followed by Squires. With Bryon Kokkalanis GRE coming in 10th there was a real shake up in the overall results with Badloe overtaking Kokkalanis for Bronze, Zubari promoted to Silver and Cohen coming in 5th in the race was more than enough to take the event. It was hard to imagine a happier man celebrating with his Teammate 1,2 for Israel!
In the Men's Youth fleet, it was a convincing win for Daniel Tashtash from Israel who was not only 1st youth but 1st under 17. With Kamil Manowiecki POL2nd and Aurelio Terry-Valle ESP 3rd.
In the Women's youth fleet Yana Reznikova RUS stayed ahead of the 2 Israel's Naama Greenberg and Linoy Schwartz Bargota 3rd.
This event was also an Olympic qualification for the European region with the places going to:
- Women: Greece
- Men: Russia
Many, many thanks to the whole team at Vilamoura Sailing for hosting an event during these difficult times.
More information, including full results, at www.rsxclass.org/europeans2020.