Joao RODRIGUES and Faustine MERRET are the early leaders after a light first day at the ISAF Grade C1 RS:X Europeans in Brest, France.
João RODRIGUES (POR) was nothing if not consistent on day one, putting in a second and a first in the men's fleet to lead overall.
Second is
Julien BONTEMPS (FRA) just one point behind with
Nikolas KAKLAMANAKIS (GRE) two points further adrift.
Nick DEMPSEY (GBR) makes up the top four with nine points.
In the continuing story of the Dutch qualification struggle, it appears right now to be a one-horse race. To qualify for the Games in China, either
Dorian VAN RIJSSELBERGE (NED) or
Casper BOUMAN (NED) have to finish in the top six at one of four regattas during this European season. They both managed that in Hyères.
Now at the Europeans. BOUMAN seems to have already blown his chances to make the standard. Standing 32nd overall, having scored an 18th and a 14th on Sunday only a miracle will get him back into contention. VAN RIJSSELBERGE on the other hand, is very much in line to do the business. Lying seventh in the overall standing with a fifth and a seventh, he must be pretty satisfied with his first day and looking forward to a late start on Monday (13:00).
The big winner of the day in the women's fleet was reigning Olympic windsurfing champion
Faustine MERRET (FRA), who is racing on her home track finished with two third places to hold the overall lead at the end of day one. Equal second, one point behind, are
Charline PICON (FRA) and world #1
Marina ALABAU (ESP). ALABAU had got her championship off to the perfect start by taking the first race with an incredible jibe at the last mark in the slalom to beat PICON and MERRET.
Pauline PERRIN (FRA) won the second race.
Eight points back, World Champion
Alessandra SENSINI (ITA) lies in fourth overall. She approached the day with a damage limitation strategy after feeling less than 'on top form', and her conservative approach worked well.
Results -
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