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Access Euro Champs and Skud 4 Nats CupAccess Dinghy European Championships and Skud four Nations Cup
Report The Inaugural Access Class European Championships have been concluded in Port Camargue, France with 9 races completed for the Access 2.3, 303, Liberty and SKUD 18. The Neo495 Four Nations Cup was also held in conjunction with the Societe Nautique du Gran Du Roi Port Camargue (SNGRPC) were the host club and organising authority for the event in conjunction with the French Access Class Association. Day One – September 10 Race one was sailed in a steady 7-8 knots, and the SKUD 18 immediately showed its pace, leading out the mixed Neo495 and Liberty fleet. The Liberty class was closely contested by Barry Coates (AUS) who was runner up in the Liberty Worlds this January, and experienced Mini G sailor Magali Moraines (FRA). Moraines won the initial heat with Coates close behind. In the Neo495’s, Anne Othenin Girard (SUI) with European A-Class Catamaran Champion Jean-Louis Le Coq (FRA) as crew, lead race one from start to finish, a pattern that was to be followed all day except for the final heat where they recovered to take another win and complete a perfect scorecard for day one. In the 2.3s, Bruno Pereira (POR) took the win from Jasper Smit (NED) and Monique Foster (GBR) third in the first race. In the two subsequent heats, it was Foster who handled the stronger breezes best, with Pereira coming in second. The current 303 two-person World Champions, Zoltan Pegan & Eva Mircsev (HUN), were beaten in the first two races by the fast local entry helmed by Uggo Busicchia (FRA). In the stronger conditions, with sails partially reefed to suit the stronger conditions, Pegan/Mirczev steadied to take the win while Busicchia/Guilvic dropped down the fleet.
In the Liberty class, Barry Coates (AUS) finished ahead of Magali Maraines (FRA), but it was not enough to claim the trophy. Zoltan Pegan & Eva Micsev (HUN) won by more than half a minute to confirm their supremacy in the 303 two-person class. They are reigning World Champions and now European Champions. Three Liberty competitors were sailing with full servo-electric controls. The winner of the servo trophy was Vera Voorbach (NED) who also placed 3rd overall. Bruno Pereira (POR) also won today and claims the trophy with a clear lead. Anne Othenin Girard (SUI) and Jean-Louis Le Coq (FRA) won their heat in the Neo495 to claim the Four Nations Cup. Societe Nautique du Gran Du Roi Port Camargue have put on a very professional event with excellent racing and great hospitality ashore. The club and its enthusiastic group of volunteers were thanked for their efforts by the International and French National Access Class Associations. Competitors at Port Camargue were invited to compete in the 2010 Access Class Worlds in Rutland, UK, next June, and at the next European Access Class Championships in L’Escala, Spain in April 2011. Event Website: www.coques-en-stock.fr/portcamargue2009 ENDS Additional Media Information: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Wed 9th to Sun 13th September. Access Dinghy European Champs and Skud Four Nations Cup, Port-Camargue, France Contact: Andy Sheath andysheath@freedom255.com The Access European Championship event is open to Access 2.3, Access 303, Access Liberty and The Skud Four Nations Cup is open to the Access Skud. Both of these are covered by this "Notice of Race". UK Access Dinghy sailors are encouraged to take part in this event.Details will be posted on this page as I get them - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Scroll down to see below Press Release Feb 2009: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Access Dinghies and Scud Euro Champs 2009, Port Camargue Notice of Race now available If you have a questions regarding this document or event, please ask Andy Sheath ( Email address above) or Richard Smallwood richnang@btinternet.com .
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Press Release Feb 2009: Event Information (Page 10 of Press Release) First Access European Championships Organising Authority SNGRPC – Tel : 04 66 53 29 47. Organising Committee: President : Pierre Richard Members : International Access Class Association – IACA, David Staley (AUS) Expected Fleets: 60 boats : 10 Access 2.3, 20 Access 303, 12 Liberty, 8 Skud 18 and 10 Néo495. Programme: 7 Dec 2008: at the Salon Nautique de Paris, Official launch of the event. Additional Accommodation Information for Disabled Persons Centre UCPA: At the regatta site with 2 special rooms and 8 other room available for the period of the event List of lodgings near the regatta venue: From the Annex to Tourism for the Disabled in the GARD region – 2008 For Hotels having the «Tourism & Handicap» accreditation nearby, contact: TOURISM AND HANDICAP SERVICE OF THE GARD REGION Christel BERARD Tourism Committee of the Gard Region An important website to check: le Comité départemental du tourisme du Gard 2 Camp Sites nearby with « Disabled » rooms: 2 “Disabled” Chalets at: 1 “Disabled” Chalet at : Holiday Village with disabled access Port Camargue, Route de l’espiguette Tel +33 4 66 53 14 14 Numerous Hotels with disabled access in the Gard and et Hérault regions: lists will be provided later. |
Access Championships.
As the wind increased to 10-15 knots for the subsequent races, Coates turned the tables and lead around the course, but Moraines was ready to capitalize on any mistakes. Vera Voorbach (NED sailed consistently to pick up a third in each race.
Day Two – September 11
