#49erfx – After four opening races at the 2015 49er & 49erFX European Championships in Portugal Andrea Brewster and Saskia Tidey who are campaigning for next year's Rio Olympic regatta will be disappointed to be 33rd in a fleet of 39. The sun rose, sailors rigged, and the championship started on time under blue skies, light winds, and fair swell. Two fleet of the worlds best skiff sailors took to the water to compete in the 49erFX, with the men's 49er scheduled to start this morning.
This championship is the second most important event of the year behind the World Championship, and decides much in the way of funding, team selection, and bragging rights.
The first races had lighter wind with teams double trapezing but surging in and out with the ocean swell, searching for power. As the sea breeze built so did the power and teams scored themselves some wild rides. It was an interesting combination of shifty and side dominated racing.
Having the best of the day was the Netherlands Annemiek Bekkering and Annette Duetz.
The 49erFX schedule is Qualifying July 6-8, Gold Fleet 9-11 and medal race also on 11th.
The 49er schedule is Qualifying July 7-9, Gold Fleet 10-12 and medal race also on 12th.
Results are here