GBR sailors in the 420 European Championships at Jadralni Klub Pirat, Slovenia (2024)

by GBR 420 Association 12 Jul 12:20 PDT 1-9 July 2024

Nineteen boats from the British International 420 sailing team headed to Portoroz in Slovenia at the end of June for the Open European Championships. The championships were hosted by 'three clubs, two countries, one bay' and with over 240 entries from 22 countries was the biggest double-handed sailing event of the summer.

The qualifying series was on schedule across three days, with two races delivered each day in variable conditions that ranged from 5-18 knots. Whoever came out on top had been well-tested in all conditions. After the first day of racing only two British boats in the male / mixed fleet looked like making the cut for Gold: Will Fletcher & Ethan Sparkes in 20th and Neil Marsden & Olivia Creasy just behind in 22nd. The cut off for Gold at 37th.

By the end of the qualifying series only Will & Ethan could rest easy despite a BFD in race five, whilst four others waited nervously for the results. The results finally came in at half-time of England's quarter final match, the final male / mixed British gold fleet teams would be: Will & Ethan, Neil & Olivia, Imogen Wade & Hugo Valentine and Harry George & Ralph Cawthorne. Arwen Fflur & Matthew Rayner narrowly missing out and having to settle for the battle at the top of the silver fleet.

This was the most boats in the gold fleet for Great Britain in recent memory and only Spain secured more.

Sabine Potter & Merle Nieuwland and Noa Moskovitch & Gabs Burlton were never in doubt for the gold fleet. The former sailed a consistent series including a third to finish qualifying in 15th overall. The latter secured 17th with a race win in race three, despite having to retire from the last qualifying race with gear failure. Laragh Epstein & Madeline Greaves settling for silver fleet but had sailed a very consistent series and as first-time at an international should be very proud.

On the U17 course Joe Jones & Hennie Burlton had a less than consistent qualifying series, they show lots of promise with three results in the top four, but also a DNE and a 28th. They still finished comfortably in gold fleet but were clearly disappointed to be carrying a big number. Our three remaining U17 teams in silver.

The first two races of the final series on day four were the windiest of the week with some excellent results from the British Teams: Imogen & Hugo took a second, Neil & Olivia two in the top ten and Arwen & Matthew took a race win in the silver fleet. Imogen & Hugo began what was now their daily climb up the leader-board jumping from 34th to 18th and taking the top British spot. Noa & Gabs had a solid day with two tenths meaning they leap-frogged fellow Brits Sabine & Merle, both staying firmly in the top twenty. Joe & Hennie opened their final series with a fourth.

The penultimate day was lighter but still two races scheduled, Laragh & Madeline had their best race of the series with a 16th, the other women's teams had a game of snakes and ladders but still held their top twenty places. Harry George and Ralph Cawthorne had a fifth and 16th to jump a massive nine places to 22nd and closed the gap on Imogen and Hugo.

Going into the final day, with much lighter, shiftier winds the nerves in the dinghy park were palpable. Arwen and Matthew needed a great race to win the silver fleet, but an eighth meant they had to settle for the bronze medal. It was a great warm-up event for them as they head off to Lake Garda, for the Youth World Championships, good luck!

Sabine & Merle finished their regatta strong and secured 15th overall, with Noa & Gabs just two places behind. Our girls' teams have proved they are amongst the best in the world, and we wish Sabine & Merle the best of luck at the Youth Worlds. In the U17 fleet Joe & Hennie were back at the front of the fleet, but it was too late for a come-back and they finished in 21st. This is a team to watch for the future, without that DNE it would have looked and felt like a very different event.

In the final event on the male/mixed course our top two teams continued their rise with another jump, Harry & Ralph held their nerve for the last day delivering an eighth to take them to 18th overall. Imogen & Hugo jumped to 12th at the overall event, tenth in the Europeans and a bronze medal for the third mixed team. The performance of these two teams is some of the best we have seen in recent years at a large international event, huge congratulations.

What did we learn?

• JK Pirat and Portoroz, Slovenia are great places for a sailing event - we would love to go back.
• BFDs are good when they happen to others in front of you, less good if you get one.
• You can never be too hydrated; the conditions were brutal and drinking plenty of fluids was key.
• Rudders can be fixed, but it doesn't help your race results.
• None of this is possible without the dedication of the team manager, Tiff Cawthorne, the coaches or the fantastic support team.

Next event: Selden British International 420 National Championships, Dale SC, 22nd - 26th August.

Ladies Results:

Mens/Mixed Results:

Under 17 Results: