On the last day of this regatta, the wind showed his strength by blowing up to 18 knots from WNW direction. This direction also gave nice surfing waves.
The Senior fleet saw some dramatic changes, in the top. Philippe BERGMANS (BEL) ended on the first place, not only winning the European Championship, but also the European Trophy (Overall Winner). This win became possible by sailing a very consisting regatta to the bitter end (3rd in race 10 and 6 in race 11).
Unfortunately Michael BLACKBURN was seen on course side of the line in a black flag start. Since the sailing instructions permit only 1 discard from the final races and he already was scored DNF for race 9, he dropped to the fifth place overall, leaving Tom SLINGSBY (also AUS) on the second place.
For the Youth fleet the numbers Keir CLARKE (GBR) and Tonci STIPANOVIC (CRO) fought for the Championship until the last race. The final decision had to be made by the International Jury, after hearing a protest lodged by Keir against Tonci.
This was for both fleets a thrilling end of these Championships in the waters outside Warnemunde, ending with an explosion with smoke in one of the juryboats on the finish line (boat safely towed in by their colleagues).
Full results are available on the event website at the address below.