Brazil leads J/24 Europeans

Hedgehog Inmarsat crewman Chris McClaughlin reports from Neustadt, Germany

Day one of the MAN Roland J/24 European Championship saw tough wind and choppy seas. The inshore course saw three races held with winds ranging from 15 to 25 knots.

Forty four European J24s from eleven countries are battliing for the John Adams J/24 trophy. The new trophy has history - like the class. European Class Associations have contributed to a Georgian silver trophy which will be won by the first European boat, in recognition of the the contribution made by Stuart Jardine to the growth of the world's most successful One Design.

Today saw very difficult and shifty conditions, with wind moving through 25 degrees.

The opening race was won by Dan Glomb of Brazil, sailing Mauricio Santa Cruz's latest boat, second was current European champion, Ian Southworth, sailing Inmarsat Hedgehog, with race sponsor representative Rotoman taking third place



Race two saw an increase in breeze which set a challenge on the genoa/jib transition. Itallian helm, Mario Pasquale in Botta Dritta, led from start to finish. Second was Warsash sailor, Jon Poiwell in Peggy, his 1990s J/24, and newcomer, Mike Lewis in Rumble scored third.

Race three and the wind peeked at 27 knots. Southworth gained places to take the lead by the top of the second beat. A downwind battle with Glomb ensued, with Southworth breaking away by 100 yards to the finish ahead, as the boats surfed through a disturbed seaway. Gareth Robinson, another J/24 newcomer, celebrated his new Sparloft Ullman rig with a well deserved third place.

At the close of the first day. Glomb leads with 7 points from Germay's Jan Kahler, in United Five, on 14 points and Ian Southworth on 16 points. Mario Pasquale of Italy is fourth with Britain's Gareth Robinson fifth and Jon Powell sixth.