Competitors journeyed from many parts of Europe to the area of Nové Mlýny in the Czech Republic to sail at YC Dyje Breclav.
A strong west wind, intensive rain and the cold greeted the sailors for the practice race and measurement. Just keeping things dry was the main problem for the British guys who were camping at the venue, as autumn had come early to this part of the Czech Republic.
Amazingly somebody switched the tap off for Day 1 and the first race started at 12:00 as scheduled in ideal sailing conditions. The race was won by Tom Gillard and Sam Brearey in there new boat 15041. 2nd was the Czech pair Verner and Winkler. The second race was started but abandoned due to a 90 degree wind shift shortly after the start. The restarted race finally got away at 15:30 after the PRO shifted marks in the shifting breeze. Gillard and Brearey won again this time pursued by Tim Rush and Martyn Lewis.
Straight after the 1st days prize giving and a draw for prizes such as free beer or wine, a strong wind kicked in. The breeze got even stronger 20 – 25 knots during the 2nd day with more rain. At 12:00 the third race was started although just managing to get to the start line was difficult in the conditions for some. Only a third of the fleet finished the first race, eventful for spectacular capsizes. Tom Jeffcoate and Andy Thompson won with Verner and Winkler taking another 2nd. The PRO sent the teams ashore postponing race 4 for the next day.
16 - 20 knots north-westerly breeze allowed the PRO to hold three races on the 3rd day, to get the racing back on schedule. It was a Jeffcoate – Thompson’s day as they scored a 1st, 2nd, 1st. Gillard and Brearey though were still overall leaders at this stage as their consistency was almost as good with a 2nd,1st, 3rd. Verner-Winkler in third. Alth ough there were three races today, sailors had enough energy to enjoy the mid week party. After the barbecue and three kegs of free beer, music band FIREBALLS started to play. Six guys in red coats made sailors dance in the rhythm of rock'n'roll. The party continued until early morning.
Day 4 and the Sun finally made an appearance; the competitors looked a little tired this morning after the Midweek Party, with a 10 – 12 knots north-westerly blowing. This was ideal sailing conditions at Nové Mlýny. The Race Committee started the seventh race almost on schedule. It was to be Gillard and Brearey’s day though as they dominated the racing with 2 bullets. Rush – Lewis sailed well for a 2nd in race 7 but was a little over egger in race 8 and got a BFD. Things didn’t happen for Jeffcoate – Thompson as they struggled in the lighter winds with a 13th and a 7th.
This meant that Tom Gillard and Sam Brearey had won the Fireball European Championships with a day to spare. As it turned out the final day was a day of no wind and no racing.
Full Results here: http://2010.fireball-europeans.com/sites/2010.fireball-europeans.com/files/doc/race8.pdf
