I shall be back! was a comment frequently heard from happy sailors.
The Laser Master European Championships in Roses concluded with the victories of Spaniard Miguel Noguer in Standard Grand Master (55-64 years old), Greek Adonis Bougiouris in Standard Apprentice (35-44) and Dutchman Lennart Cnossen in Standard Master (45-54). The Brits Jon Emmett and Stephen Cockerill were first in Radial Apprentice and Master respectively, while Peter Seidenberg, USA, won the Radial Great Grand Master category, and Lesley Hotchin, GBR, in Radial 4.7. Eight European titles went to sailors who already had accumulated an impressive track record before.
With weather conditions similar to those on day one and two, southeastern winds prevailed up to 9 knots on Friday. The last two races took place after a break on Thursday, wich allowed everybody to enjoy the surprise dinner that was offered to all participants. They were brought by boat to Cala Montjoi, the cove where the best restaurant in the world, El Bulli, used to be until it closed its doors two years ago. Right next to the building, competitors, organisers, volunteers and authorities shared a dinner, danced with live music and partied, some until the early morning hours. The way back to the hotels was made by road, on a tourist train that afforded an impressive view over the bay from a very different perspective.
The championships gathered 250 sailors from 24 different countries. Many of them had already sailed in Roses in 2007, when the Laser Master World Championships were held here too. North Americans John Bernard Duler or Peter Seidenberg, Australian Vanesa Dudley, Argentine Hernan Mieres, Brazilians Alcir Cachapuz and Israeli Irina Pushin were the participants who had travelled the farthest to compete in Roses.
As everyone bid farewell after the awards presentations on Friday, “I shall be back!” was a comment frequently heard from happy sailors.
