Qualifying finished for 470s

Paul Brotherton gives us a summary of the qualifying series at the 470 Europeans

The first major regatta after the Olympics is always a good time to measure
the young guns against the old war horses, having completed two full Olympic campaigns and now embarking on their
third, Nick Rogers and Joe Glanfield are firmly in the second category. A
clean break of 10 months from sailing the 470 has not dented either their
skills or their ambition. At the conclusion of qualifying here in Gydnia,
Poland a scoreline of five firsts and a second to discard sends a
frightening message to anyone, young gun or otherwise.

The test so far has been three strong wind races, two medium and one light.
Split into groups of theoretical equal talent initially, and then by the
actual results after day one, the RYA Team GBR duo have mastered and
dominated. The true test, of course will come in the finals which start on
Saturday. The top 26 boats will compete a further eight races. Space and
decision making time will condense three fold, the game changes.... almost
beyond recognition. However, if the British Team are to be defeated it is
most unlikely to come from a careless mistake on their part, experience
simply will not allow it.

In the womes fleet Ingrid Petitejean and Nadege Douroux the French reps in Athens have all but matched the performance of the British men. Having trained hard through the winter and comprehensively won Hyeres in April their dominance is perhaps a little less surprising.

Siren Sunby the Norwegien Athens Gold Medalist in the Europe, is taking
large strides in the right direction in her formative months in the 470.
Sailing with Karianne Melleby an ex Yngling crew she is well in the Gold fleet despite loosing two races due to gear failure on the windy first day. Winning two of the four races they have competed in, is an ominous sign to any of the womens teams looking at domination in this currently wide open fleet.

British interest lies with the experienced Christina Bassadone and Saskia
Clarke, having competed seperatley for 2004 this team have arrived a little
on the back foot having lost the majority of the early season to exams and
study. There is little doubt that this team have all the ingredients to
piece together a world class campaign.

Pippa Wilson and Sheena Craig (Sister of Nick Craig) play the part of young
guns. With top third finishes at the early season Internationals, this major
event offers them the first serious measurement of their campaign to date.
Both British teams are comfortably into the Gold Fleet finals and as with
the boys this will be the real test.

In amongst the seemingly relentless showers, single figure temperatures (The
term" Baltic" is well founded) there is quite a regatta unfolding.