News Scotti & de Felice (ITA) and Walsh & Husband (GBR): European Champions

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Scotti & de Felice (ITA) and Walsh & Husband (GBR): European Champions

02
Aug 2007
The victorious sailors at the 420 European Championships in Istanbul were Edoardo Mancinelli Scotti & Lorenze de Felice of Italy in the Open Championship and Claire Walsh & Jasmine Husband of Great Britain in the Ladies’ Championship, with Tim Saxton & Claire Lasko (GBR) leading the silver fleet.
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2007 European Championships
ALL EVENT INFORMATION

The victorious sailors at the 420 European Championships in Istanbul were Edoardo Mancinelli Scotti & Lorenze de Felice of Italy in the Open Championship and Claire Walsh & Jasmine Husband of Great Britain in the Ladies’ Championship, with Tim Saxton & Claire Lasko (GBR) leading the silver fleet. This came as a culmination of close fought championships, in which there was competition for podium places to the last and a full programme of races in varied, but excellent, sailing conditions in Kalanis Bay on the Bosphorus.

Nino Shmueli, President of the International 420 Class, spoke of a “perfect job” done by PRO Selma Uca and the Race Committee. He paid tribute to the performance of the sailors: “this was at a very high level, and, until the very last day, there were still changes in the top ten rankings”. This again demonstrated that the 420 is the boat providing young sailors with critical racing skills for the future. He was particularly pleased to see several mixed teams performing well.

The closing ceremony, orchestrated by Istanbul Sailing Club, to the same high standards of professionalism, forethought and courtesy as the rest of the event, included very short speeches and a presentation of gifts to those who had made the event possible – including, a particular touch popular among the sailors, to all the coaches. The awards to the sailors built to a crescendo with the presentations to the new 420 European Champions and Ladies’ Champions (it sounded as though all present were joining in singing the Italian national anthem!). Then the party really got underway – in true 420 style. It was noted that the PRO, whose management of the racing had been admired by sailors and coaches alike, was seen to take a leading part in the dancing too!

The 420 convoy now sets off on the long journey to Medemblik in the Netherlands for the Junior European Championships that start in the middle of next week. Many leave Istanbul with memories of excellent sailing, a beautiful venue and a friendly city.