Swedes win 470 Sprint Cup

New spectator friendly racing hailed a success

Sweden's Johan Moland and Martin Andersson recently walked away from the International 470 Sprint Cup just ahead of the GBR and FRA teams and 3000 Euro richer.



The two Swedish National Champions edged out Brits Nick Rogers and Joe Glandfield on a count back after the three race/no drop series held in Brest France. Both teams finished the Sprint Cup on 8 points but the Swede's 2 bullets in the last 2 heats put them ahead of the pack. Newly crowned European Champions Gildas Phillippe & Nicolas LeBerre (FRA) finished just 1 point back on 9 points in third place after taking a 360 degree penalty after the frantic last heat start.

The Sprint Cup brought together the top 4 Men's and top 3 Women's boats from the Open 470 European Championships for the spectator friendly 20 minute race format. In the fresh 15-18 knot conditions, sailing was in complete contrast to the previous weeks racing where only 7 of the scheduled 14 races were completed.

American Silver Medallists Paul Foerster & Kevin Burnham took first blood, and with a second Spanish Silver Medallist Natalia Via duFresne with Sandra Azon showed that the woman were the equal of the Men in these conditions, but suffering a blown kite in the 2nd heat put an end to their money chances.

The Sprint Cup will be shown on Eurosport in the future and on Watersportworld.

Speaking after the event International 470 President Darren Dunkley-Smith said , " This event was a chance for sailors to show the public their prowess up close, teams were really going for it today. From the response from the Public and the Sailors we'll definitely continuing the project next year."