#annalisemurphy – Strong winds and gusts of 25 knots on the last day of the qualification races enabled the National Yacht Club's Annalise Murphy to score an impressive one two and head into gold fleet racing today in 16th position in a fleet of 98.
The Irish Rio medal hope started the regatta in 76th place after a tricky opener but was soon climbing back up the rankings, clinching a gold fleet slot in big breeze yesterday.
If any of the sailors at this year's Laser Europeans were aching for the wind to increase they had their wish fulfilled yesterday. Strong western wind of 18-20 knots with gusts up to 25 knots came to visit the Bay of Aarhus on the last day of qualification.
Thus the lasers were in for an action packed day on the water. Broken masts were been spotted even before the first starting signal was given and during the day black flags and UFD's were given in both camps.
The wind, however, was rather steady allowing for a majority of clean starts compared to the previous days.
In the Women's Laser Radial class Danish Sarah Gunni (16) who has been taking the lead up until now was finally, however narrowly, superseded by Spanish Alicia Cebrian Martinez De Lagos (88) who had an excellent day on the water finishing 4th and 1st.
Defending European Champion from last year, German Svenja Weger (33), has been consistent in her performance at this Championship and with an overall 6th place after today's races she is still in play for a spot on the podium.
Another sailor was forced to give up 1st place today, namely Dutch Nicholas Heiner, who was banished to 2nd place by defending European Champion Tonci Stipanovic from Croatia (188). Stipanovic managed to land an overall 1st place after taking home two 1st places in today's 5th and 6th qualification race.
The Dutch giants, Nicholas and Rutger might have their own battle going on in this year's European Championship but Stipanovich is a force to be reckoned with and with three days of racing still to go it is still far too early to label the gold medal.
3rd place is still governed by German Philipp Buhl (211) who has been consistent throughout the qualification race taking home rankings within top ten in all six races. Add a bit of luck to that consistency and who knows what might happen?
The only thing we know for certain is that three more exciting days of racing are still to come where anything can – and most likely will – happen...
See today's overall results here:
Laser Radial Women Top Three
1. Alicia Cebran Martinez De Lagos (ESP)
2. Sarah Gunni Toftedal (DEN)
3. Tuula Tenkanen (FIN)
See all preliminary results for Laser Radial Women here.
