23.07.2011
2011 Böklunder Melges 24 European Championship
80 Boat International Fleet Assembles In Aarhus
Aarhus, Denmark July 23 - A top quality fleet of 80 teams has assembled at Aarhus
Sailing Club in Denmark on the eve of the start of racing at the 2011 Böklunder
Melges 24 European Championship. The championship runs from July 22 - 28 and has
attracted entries from 16 nations across Europe and even as far afield as Japan.
Racing in the index championship series begins tomorrow, Sunday 24th July, with the
first start scheduled for 10 AM local time. The ten race series runs through until
Thursday 28 July.
Today around 60 teams took advantage of a practise day to line up against the competition
and to familiarise themselves with the local conditions. Wind conditions out on
the water during the day built from almost flat calm to around 10 knots, allowing
two practise races to be run, giving both the competitors and the race team a chance
to dial into regatta mode. Speaking after racing, several competitors commented
on the shifty nature and patchiness of the breeze on the racecourse, suggesting
that it could be a tricky week ahead for the tacticians. Back ashore, the sailors
were able to finish preparing their boats for competition, before this afternoon
enjoying some free beer and a Böklunder sausage barbecue.
Immediately prior to the Championship Opening Ceremony this evening Principal Race
Officer Hank Stuart led the packed marquee in a minute's silence in recognition
of the terrible events which took place in Norway yesterday. During the opening
ceremony local regatta organisers Torben Houborg, Borge Dammand, Christina Laub
Frank and Kenneth Holst were thanked by International Melges 24 Class Chairman Riccardo
Simoneschi for their hard work in putting this championship together.
Racing in the 2011 Böklunder Melges 24 European Championship series begins Sunday
24th July and the ten race series runs through until Thursday 28 July.
Media representatives who would like to attend the event are asked to contact IM24CA
Media Coordinator Fiona Brown on fiona.brown@melges24.com [mailto:fiona.brown@melges24.com].
Aarhus Sailing Club and the International Melges 24 Class would like to thank event
title sponsor Böklunder for their most generous support of the 2011 Böklunder Melges
24 European Championship.
The 2011 Böklunder Melges 24 European Championship will run from 22 to 28 July.
28.07.2011 - Fracassoli Crowned European Champion
27.07.2011 - Fracassoli Within Touching Distance Of Glory On Penultimate Day
26.07.2011 - Fracassoli Consolidates At The Top
25.07.2011 - Lack Of Breeze Means No Racing On Day 2
24.07.2011 - Favini Dominates But Fracassoli Leads After Three Exciting Races On Day 1
23.07.2011 - 80 Boat International Fleet Assembles In Aarhus
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