GBR Team from Spinnaker Sailing Club bounce back to take EUROSAF 2K Keelboat Team Racing European Championship

Report by Bruce Hebbert, Pictures Courtesy Pepe Hartmann

Brilliantly hosted and organised by the Hamburger Segel-Club e.V. and sponsored by Europcar, Marinepool and the City of Hamburg, everything was in place for an awesome championship.  Three days of very tight racing on Lake Alster in the centre of Hamburg witnessed some of the best and most exciting team racing in short history of two keel boat team racing.  With a full complement of eight teams, from seven countries, this was the first truly European Championship, with sailors from Ireland to Greece, and Hungary to Denmark participating.

Day one and the Dutch, who had just returned triumphant from Turkey with the Istanbul Cup proudly held high, soon showed why they were the team to beat.  By the end of the day only Serpentine (GBR) managed the task, while Spinnaker(GBR) who had been hibernating since the spring, looked severely out of practice, losing to the newly formed Team Europe (HUN and GRE).  Ireland, led by ISAF Team Racing Silver medallist Marshall King, firmly stamped their authority and with the Dutch DMTRA Team, looked set for a podium place.

Day Two and everything appeared to be going the Dutch way, but Spinnaker were quietly moving through the gears.  A re-sail between the Dutch and 8^th place Austria, brought the upset of the event, with Austria securing a brilliant win with only millimetres to the finish.  As a consequence, Spinnaker were now number one and had the privilege of pole position for the final rounds.

In what can only be described as a “cunning plan” and by means of a repercharge knockout, the race management delivered a programme that allowed all teams equal sailing, but also the opportunity to get to the final. Serpentine, started the day with a race losing damage penalty, but undeterred, they bounced back, finally meeting the Dutch while placed comfortably in 2^nd place.  As only in team racing, the lead changed again, but when the music stopped, it was Serpentine who emerged the winners.

Now to the Final and could Serpentine, who had just spent 3 hours on the water beating all-comers, keep up the momentum?  Spinnaker, who had rested ashore in the warmth of the clubhouse, emerged into the bright light and had just 20 minutes to get themselves ready.  3 hours may have taught Serpentine all they needed to know about the wind shifts and the boats, but their winning streak had run out.  Spinnaker, with cool determination, never once took the bait to indulge in the rough and tumble. Instead, with perfect timing, they won the starts and with the precision that only a well-oiled machine can give, moved into top gear to take the final with two successive and resounding wins.

1^st GBR Spinnaker Sailing Club