There was no wind on the final day of the J/24 European Open Championship, and the result was that all 32 crews (representing France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Great Britain, Brazil and United States) returned to shore to haul their boats and prepare for the awards ceremony earlier than many expected. Nevertheless, the regatta was enthusiastically embraced by Europe’s top J/24 teams as they enjoyed great sailing on the Bay of Biscay, excellent RC PRO work from Yacht Club du Crouesty Arzon, and fabulous shoreside evening activities at one of the nicer seaside resorts in France. After counting seven races total over the four-day regatta, it was the British team of MADELEINE skippered by Duncan McCarthy who took the European crown with a remarkably consistent 2-2-2-3-9-4-3 record. Taking the Open European Championship was the American team of Mike Ingham with the amazingly low tally of four firsts and a 2-3 for counters for just 9 points total. The first day of racing had good enough weather conditions to test the fleet with three races; and it also set the tone for the rest of the regatta. Virtually tied on points were Ingham’s American team (sitting on 5 points) and Duncan’s Madeleine crew (sitting on 6 points). Lying third was the Italian Champion Ignazio Bonanno sailing La Superba. Frank Schonfeldt’s Henk was tied on points with La Superba at 19 each. Then with a strong showing the first day was the Greek team on Catsiapis Foundation helmed by Anthimos Nicolaidis in fifth. Just four points separated fifth from 10th after day one. The top French boat was Francois De Herce on Majic sitting in the 10th position and the top Irish boat was Flor O’Driscoll’s Hard on Port. Despite their first race on the second day, Ingham’s crew continued to extend their overall lead with a 14-2-1. Meanwhile, McCarthy hung on tight to second with a 3-9-4. Germany’s Daniel Frost on SG Power Solutions climbed up the ladder, posting a 5-3-2 to grab third overall. German Mark Karsunke skippering Sullberg powered their way into fourth overall with 1-1-6 finishes. Schonfeldt’s Henk posted a 20-5-3 to drop into fifth. The third day was great for some teams, definitely not so hot for other teams. Ingham’s crew rolled off another bullet to ultimately win the regatta. McCarthy’s Madeleine crew did the same, posting a third to secure second overall in the Open class and be declared winner of the J/24 Europeans 2015. Frost’s SG Power Solutions scored a 10th, but hung on to third overall and silver for the continent. Fourth overall and third in Europe was Schonfeldt’s Henk. For more J/24 Europeans sailing information, visit http://www.j24euro2015.com/.
International Class Association
