A fairly laid-back start to the European Championships in Los Alcazares as the wind was late arriving but, when it did finally put in an appearance after lunch, two very good races were run in 8 to 10 knots for all fleets. [more]216 T293 competitors are racing for European titles, and a couple of Techno “Open” are racing with the Raceboard Youths
38 seniors, youths and masters representing 11 countries, including the USA and Argentina, are competing at Club Nautico Mar Menor Los Alcazares for European Raceboard titles alongside the Techno European Championships.
The under-17 boys have been divided into two fleets. The conditions were clearly perfect for Ofek Elimelech from Eilat who took the bullet in both races in his fleet, and heads the leaderboard, whilst in the other fleet honours were split between Daniel Wilson from Great Britain taking race 1 and Toni Bonet from Cataluna winning race 2. Toni is third overall but rather more consistent results from Israeli Atai Kinarti from Mickmoret puts him second overall.
The u-17 girls all race together. Marta Maggetti (ITA 157), u-17 Girls World Champion, is maintaining her winning form at the top with two race wins, and behind her on equal points are Israeli Zohar Ben Hayoun and Brit Emma Wilson
In the under 15 boys fleet Tom Monnet (FRA 320), winner of the Techno Worlds u15 Boys in Medemblik, has started as he means to go on by winning both of his races, and Israeli Yoav Cohen was second in both. Third overall is Antonino Cangemi from Italy.
Competition is close in the u-15 girls fleet. Sarah Labourne (GBR 614) took the first bullet but, with a fourth in her second race, she is second overall behind Italian Gulia Alagna who scored and second and a first. Giorgia Speciale, also from Italy, currently occupying third place has the same points as Sarah.
40 year old Master, Joao Rodrigues (POR 75) heads the Raceboard leaderboard with two wins. Max Wojcik (POL 7) is second overall and Ivan Pastor (ESP 7) is third overall. First Youth is currently 18-year-old Daniel Blinnikka (FIN 5).
RESULTS: Boys u17 / Boys u15 / Girls u17 / Girls u15 / Raceboard
The forecast is looking good for the 12.30 race start tomorrow and the last possible warning signal time has been extended to achieve the maximum amount of racing.
Competitors were given a very warm welcome with the opening ceremony and everyone is looking forward to a great championship.
Follow live updates during the day on Twitter – Techno
Follow live updates on Twitter – Raceboard
Photo Gallery Techno / (new photos added daily)
Photo Gallery updated daily – Raceboard
Video Day One – Racing
Video Day 0 (registration and opening ceremony – Techno)
Successful year for BIC TECHNO 293 so far, but a bitter sweet year for olympic windsurfing. 2012 Olympic medals were decided, but summer of windsurfing future stars is not over yet.
They do worry about the future of their sport, but at the moment they are here in Los Alcazares, Spain to enjoy themselves and to fight for the European titles.
Registrations, practice race attempt and opening ceremony today. Race action is on the menu tomorrow.
