Howth Yacht Club’s Darren Wright and his Adrenaline crew are eighth overall going into the final race of the Melges 24 European Championship in Tønsberg, Norway.
The Irish-flagged GBR 822 has 63 points after nine races and one discard, with Wright sailing alongside Hannah Morris, Jack Wetherell and the rest of the Adrenaline crew. Wright’s scorecard reads 5-11-3-7-7-15-(19)-8-7, with the 19th discarded. It leaves the Howth campaign firmly inside the top ten of the international fleet with one race remaining.
As Afloat previously reported, Adrenaline had been seventh overall after the championship’s demanding heavy-weather programme, which saw winds reach 36 knots. Wright’s crew had counted a third place in Race 3 among a consistent opening series before the championship moved into lighter conditions.
Adrenaline Stays in Top Ten
Three further races were completed on Thursday in more moderate conditions, with Races 7 and 8 sailed in a south-southwesterly breeze of around nine knots before the wind eased to approximately seven knots for Race 9.
Wright recorded 19-8-7 across the three races. With the 19th becoming Adrenaline’s discard, the Howth boat remained eighth overall on 63 points.
The result continues a strong championship for the Irish campaign following Wednesday’s particularly testing racing, when the fleet faced large waves and winds which peaked at almost 30 knots during racing and reportedly reached 36 knots.
Razjaren Retains European Crown
At the head of the standings, Croatia’s Razjaren, sailed by Ante Cesic with owner Lukasz Podniesinski, successfully defended the Melges 24 European Championship with a race to spare.
Back-to-back victories in Races 7 and 8 followed by a fifth in Race 9 gave Razjaren an unbeatable lead. The Croatian crew stands on 22 points after nine races.
“We decided to fight for every place and every metre, and that is exactly what we have done from the start,” Cesic said. “We are very happy to become European Champions for the second time.”
Paolo Brescia’s Italian Melgina is second on 36 points, with Vladimir Prosikhin’s Nika third on 44. Norway’s Storm Capital is fourth on 48 and leads the Corinthian standings.
One final race is scheduled to complete the ten-race championship, with the remaining overall podium positions and Corinthian European title still to be decided.
