Latest News Items

420 Class Rules 2010 published 
The 420 Class Rules 2010 have now been published by ISAF, together with a list of Amendments (nb amendments run over several pages).

World Championships: Notice of Race 
Click here for Notice of Race and for Championship website

Oliveira & Dale and Prado & Puetter win Brazil’s men’s and women’s Youth Champs 
Felipe Oliveira & Alan Dale, who recently triumphed at the 2010 Brazilian 420 National Championships at Búzios, have won the Copa da Juventude, Brazil’s Youth Championships and ISAF Youth World selection event....by a point. Luisa Sodré de C. Prado &Ursula T. Puetter came 2nd overall and won for the Women at the Iate Clube de Brasília. Meanwhile, João Henrique Figueiredo & Pedro B. Petersen put up a great fight, taking third place in spite of scoring bullets in races 5 & 6. Apparently conditions on Lake Paranoá were very different from Búzios the week before. No waves, and light and shifty breezes, are the normal conditions for the place, says our man in Rio, Nic Castro.

Caldeira & Dale and Duarte & Kunze rule in Brazil 2010 
With a closely contested Championships, three teams led the fleet at different stages of the regatta. The Brazilian National Champions 2010 are Felipe Caldeira & Alan Dale, by 5 points from Daniela A.P. Duarte & Kahena Kunze, who are the Women’s Champions. Felipe Haddad & Nicolas Leite De Castro, the 2009 Champions, were 3rd.

Felipe & Alan, who competed at Garda Worlds with Felipe & Nic, are evidently to be taken very seriously! For Daniela, this is her 5th home title, but the 1st as helm. Daniela and Kahena are very experienced and versatile crews – Kahena was 6th at the 2007 ISAF Youth Championships in Ontario (in the 29er) and Gold (with Martine Grael) at the 2009 ISAFs here in Búzios. Daniela was 7th at the ISAF Youths at Aarhus in 2008 (in the 29er with Martine Grael), 6th at the Tapakpuna 420 Worlds (2007), and, with Martine Grael, 4th at Athens (2008) and Bronze at Garda (2009). Meanwhile, Martine Grael is busy doing good at the Miami OCR in the 470.

The second pack at this year’s Nationals were also competing hard, the final outcome down to the last race. Julia Pessini e Patrick Essle made it to 4th (53 points), while João Henrique Figueiredo & Pedro Pettersen took 5th (56 pts) and Danielle Cardial & Nicole Dale were in 6th (57 pts), with Ricardo Pelliuiotto & Antonio Kaspar 7th (63 pts). We hope to be seeing these guys internationally soon, and watch to see if Cardial & Dale are waiting in the wings to establish themselves as next in line to lead Brazil’s women!

We await any further news and photos from Búzios to fill in the gaps….but, on past experience, the Brasileiros are probably still busy partying! So, for now, see Búzios Vela Clube and their flickr gallery for a mass of photos.

Caldeira & Dale hold lead into last day at Búzios 

Caldeira & Dale lead at Brazilian Nationals after Day 2 

The Brasileiros prepare (and joke) and Dany’s back (while Martine skips off to Miami) 

Photos in from Chile - great seas at Training Week! 

US Youth Worlds Qualifiers sailed and US Sailing Development Team named 

Daniela Adler reports great sailing (and less great injury) before the Brazilian Nationals 

Brasileiros buzz in Búzios 

ISAF publishes Youth Worlds NoR 

Photos from Australian Nationals 
Thanks to Martin Flaherty and Gavin Thredgold, we have a small Photo Gallery of images from the recent Australian National Championships at Largs Bay SC, South Australia

2010 Worlds Site 
The dedicated web site for the International 420 Worlds is now available online. Make sure that your teams are at this great venue. Visit Event Website for more information on planning your trip.

Australia’s Youth Champions and ISAF Team named, Ko & Li and Lee & Hui return to Singapore victorious 
The 2010 Australian Youth Champions are Angus Galloway & Alexander Gough and Elloise Brake & Ashley Warlow, the Women’s Champs. Chuan Yang Ko & Andrew Paul Li Jian Chan and Rachel Qing Lee & Benita Jia Hui were 1st and 2nd respectively at the regatta, leading three other SIN teams in the top ten! It was also good to see the Hong Kong team, Wing Ho Kwan & Wing Chun Lam, make 8th on the leaderboard.

Craig Heydon of Yachting Australia writes: “Light winds on the final day of competition kept the competitors on shore and out of the 43 degree heat. Unfortunately the wind remained almost non-existent for the entire day and racing was eventually cancelled…….It was all Singapore at the top of the 420 standings with Chuan Ko and Andrew Chan taking out the boys class and Rachel Lee and Benita Chua first in the girls class. Angus Golloway and Alex Gough were the second boys crew ahead of Matthew Jerwood and Patrick Vos in third. Queensland's Elloise Brake and Ashley Warlow finished second in the girls class ahead of Singapore’s Daniella Ng and Cheryl Yee”.

The Youth Championships are Australia’s selection event for their Youth Sailing Team. Angus Galloway & Alex Gough and Elloise Brake & Ashley Warlow were named to represent Australia at the 2010 ISAF Youth World Championships in Istanbul in July.

Top ten:
1 Chuan Yang Ko & Andrew Paul Li Jian Chan (SIN) 18 points
2 Rachel Qing Lee & Benita Jia Hui (SIN) Chua 25 pts
3 Angus Galloway & Alexander Gough (Queensland) 31 pts
4 Matthew Jerwood & Patrick Vos (Western Australia) 38 pts
5 Luke Yi Hao Tan & Clement Hao Yang (SIN) 39 pts
6 Sam Mackay & Emma Goodwin 40 pts
7 Elloise Brake & Ashley Warlow 50 pts
8 Wing Ho Kwan & Wing Chun Lam (HKG) 52 pts
9 Russell Tsung Liang Kan & Jeremiah Yeo (SIN) 56 pts
10 Daniella Hui Min Ng & Cheryl Gui Ying Yee (SIN) 60 pts

See Event Website.

Ko & Li and Lee & Hui lead Aust Youths, while Galloway & Gough and Jerwood & Vos battle for Championship and selection. 
Chuan Yang Ko & Andrew Paul Li Jian and Rachel Qing Lee & Benita Jia Hui of Singapore are in 1st and 2nd into the final day at the Australian Youth Championships. There is a close battle between Angus Galloway & Alexander Gough, winners of Sail Sydney and Sail Melbourne in December and the new National 420 Champions, Matthew Jerwood & Patrick Vos, with 7 points between them in 3rf and 4th respectively.

Top ten into the final day:
1 Chuan Yang Ko & Andrew Paul Li Jian Chan (SIN) 18 points
2 Rachel Qing Lee & Benita Jia Hui (SIN) Chua 25 pts
3 Angus Galloway & Alexander Gough (Queensland) 31 pts
4 Matthew Jerwood & Patrick Vos (Western Australia) 38 pts
5 Luke Yi Hao Tan & Clement Hao Yang (SIN) 39 pts
6 Sam Mackay & Emma Goodwin 40 pts
7 Elloise Brake & Ashley Warlow 50 pts
8 Wing Ho Kwan & Wing Chun +Lam (HKG) 52 pts
9 Russell Tsung Liang Kan & Jeremiah Yeo 56 pts
10 Daniella Hui Min Ng & Cheryl Gui Ying Yee 60 pts

See Event Website and check Latest Results

Kiss and DaSilva - North American Champions 2009: further news from Coral Reef YCs Orange Bowl International Youth Regatta 2009 
We have had the following report from Larry Law, President of the USA International 420 Class: "I-420 has its first regatta in Miami in a decade. For the first time in over a decade the International 420 Racing Dinghy has returned to the waters off Miami to compete in the annual Orange Bowl Regatta held at the prestigious Coral Reef Yacht Club in Coral Gables, Florida. 22 boats representing four countries competed for, what the US I-420 Class Association established as its first North American Championship of the new Millennia. The North American Championship is one of the major qualifier events of the selection criteria for the upcoming US I-420 World Championship Team that is going to be competing in Haifa, Israel this coming summer. Congratulations to Morgan Kiss and Katia DaSilva for their performance in winning this event”. See Final Results website.

Australian Nationals report and preparations for the Youth Champs 
Thanks to Australian 420 President, Mark Soulsby, we have a very full Event Report on the recent and successful Australian National Championships (click above).

Meanwhile, final preparations are in hand for this year’s Australian Youth Championships, also being held at Largs Bay SC, South Australia. Follow the event at the Event Website. See also Yachting Australia’s pre-event press release, "Final Preparations…".

Pirouelle & Sipan win Blanes 2009 
Guillaume Pirouelle & Valentin Sipan (FRA) have won the Grand Prix Vila de Blanes 2010
with triple bullets in the final day’s racing at Blanes, to overtake last year’s winners, Jordi Xanmar & Joan Herp (ESP - CN El Masnou, Cataluña). Amy Seabright & Hermione Stanley (GBR - Oxford SC) were 3rd (Hermione returning after her 2nd at last year’s edition) and led the women.

The women were strong, with Lara Vadlau & Elli Smolka (AUT) 4th, last year’s bronze team, Irina & Carla Zendrera (ESP) 5th and, new to the Class, Annabel Vose & Megan Brickwood (GBR) 6th.

Further information may be found on the Event Website and photographs from Alfred Farré can be found on the event website and at Alfred Farré’s flickr. See also the main CV Blanes website.
Top ten:
1 Guillaume Pirouelle & Valentin Sipan (FRA - SNP Havre) 5 pts
2 Jordi Xanmar & Joan Herp (ESP - CN El Masnou, Cataluña) 7 points
3 Amy Seabright & Hermione Stanley (GBR - Oxford SC) 14 pts
4 Lara Vadlau & Elli Smolka (AUT - KYCK. / UYCNS) 16 pts
5 Irina & Carla Zendrera (ESP - CN El Masnou, Cataluña) 24 pts
6 Annabel Vose & Megan Brickwood (GBR – Royal Southern YC) 30 pts
7 Simon Meister & David Hussi (AUT – SCTWV / YKA) 31 pts
8 Benjamin Bildstein & Lukas Hussmann (AUT) 31 pts
9 Julien Rossi & Bruno Mourniac (FRA – YC Antibes) 33 pts
10 David & Alex Charles (ESP - CN El Balis, Cataluña) 41 pts

Xanmar & Herp and Pirouelle & Sipan duel at Blanes, but only two races so far 
With no racing possible on Sunday and only one race today (Monday’s 2nd race had to be abandoned for lack of wind), Jordi Xanmar & Joan Herp retain the lead with another win and Guillaume Pirouelle & Valentin Sipan (FRA) are 2nd on 4 points. David & Alex Charles (FRA), with a 3rd today jump from 8th to 3rd overall and are on equal points with Annabel Vose & Megan Brickwood (GBR) in 4th. Lara Vadlau & Elli Smolka (AUT) dropped to 5th following a 10th today. The fleet must really be wishing for good winds for the last day tomorrow – no starts after 14.00.

Top ten:
1 Jordi Xanmar & Joan Herp (ESP - CN El Masnou, Cataluña) 2 points
2 Guillaume Pirouelle & Valentin Sipan (FRA - SNP Havre) 4 pts
3 David Charles & Alex Charles (ESP - CN El Balis, Cataluña) 11 pts
4 Annabel Vose & Megan Brickwood (GBR – Royal Southern YC) 11 pts
5 Lara Vadlau & Elli Smolka (AUT - KYCK. / UYCNS) 13 pts
6 Germain Gaulthier & Hollin Guillaume (FRA – UY Cannes) 15 pts
7 Irina Zendrera & Carla Zendrera (ESP - CN El Masnou, Cataluña) 19 pts
8 Benjamin Bildstein & Lukas Hussmann (AUT) 20 pts
9 Simon Meister & David Hussi (AUT – SCTWV / YKA) 25 pts
10 Jennifer Poret & Louise Chevet (FRA - SNP Havre) 25 pts

Up-to-date information may be found on the Event Website and photographs from Alfred Farré can be found on the event website and at Alfred Farré’s flickr.

Thank you, Christian Maury….and a happy new year from France 
Christian Berhault, President, and the French 420 Class – 420-UNIQUA-France - are wishing the International 420 Class a very happy New Year for 2010. This is a special one for France and for the Class world-wide. We celebrate 50 years of the International 420, designed in 1960 by Christian Maury.

“Déjà 50 ans....et toujours à fond. Bonne année”….already 50 years….and still on top! Good year!

Liu & Cheng triumph in Australia; Jerwood & Vos, National Champs; Shephard & Catt, Women’s Champs 
With a race in hand, Justin Xiaman Liu & Sherman Feng Yuan Cheng last year’s winners again dominated the Australian Open Championships at Largs Bay SC in Southern Australia. But Griselda Khng & Cecilia Low (SIN) had to concede their 2009 lead overall to the new National Women’s Champions, Lucy Shephard & Amelia Catt of Tasmania by 6 points. Liu & Cheng and Khng & Low have represented Singapore at the last two ISAF Youth Worlds (Liu & Cheng won the Junior Europeans in 2007).

Matthew Jerwood & Patrick Vos of Western Australia are the new National Champions, with an 8 point lead over the 2009 Sail Sydney and Sail Melbourne winners, Angus Galloway & Alexander Gough of Queensland. George Davies & Timothy Hannah (4th overall) and Samuel Gilmour & Adam Negri (5th). They will all be contending at the Australian Youth Championships next week, aiming for the coveted passport to the 2010 ISAF Youth Worlds in Istanbul.

Lucy Shephard & Amelia Catt of Tasmania are the new National Women’s Champions. Having led the Australian women at Sail Sydney and Sail Melbourne last month. Elloise Brake & Ashley Warlow of Queensland had a more difficult Championships than in Sydney and Melbourne, where the dogged the heels of Shephard & Catt. We will watch them at the forthcoming Australian Youths!

The international flavour of the big Australian events at this time a year – a real opportunity to get big fleet experience in South East Asia - has grown further this year. In addition to Sail Singapore’s team, there have been strong competition from the relatively new Malaysian 420 Class, as well as Hong Kong (who competed in the 2009 Junior Europeans in Hungary) and New Zealand. Malaysia’s Ku Anas Ku Zamil & Mohamad Hafizzudin Mazelan and Khairunnisa & Norashikin Mohamad Sayed both made the top fifteen, and Singapore’s Russell Tsung Liang Kan & Jeremiah Yeo, together with Singapore’s Chuan Yang Ko & Andrew Paul Li Jian Chan and Rachel Qing Lee & Benita Jia Hui Chua.

Blanes underway with Xanmar & Herp taking the first race 
Jordi Xanmar & Joan Herp of CN El Masnou (Cataluña), who took 5th at the 2009 ISAF Youths for Spain and 8th at the Junior Euros in Balaton, led the 29-boat fleet on the first day of the 2010 Grand Prix Vila de Blanes. Guillaume Pirouelle & Valentin Sipan (SNP Havre, FRA) were 2nd and Lara Vadlau & Elli Smolka (KCYK, AUT) 3rd (Lara Vadlau was first female helm and 8th overall at the 2009 Junior Euros). Simon Meister & David Hussi (SCTWV/YKA, AUT) were 4th and Annabel Vose & Megan Brickwood (R Southern YC, GBR), the first all-women's team, were 5th.

See Results. Up-to-date information may be found on the Event Website and photographs from Alfred Farré can be found on the event website and at Alfred Farré’s flickr. See also the main CV Blanes website.

Liu & Cheng hold lead after R10 at AUS Nats 
Following a further three races at Largs Bay, the top four placings remain unchanged. However, the Singaporean teams did not complete race 10 and, in spite of the second discard kicking in, Griselda Khng & Cecilia Low had to concede the fifth slot to Samuel Gilmour and Adam Negri of Western Australia, who are on good form, with 1, 2, 1 in the last three races.

420s welcome the New Year at Blanes 
AUT, GBR and SWE boats have already been spotted on the water at Club de Vela Blanes, preparing for the annual International Grand Prix Vila de Blanes. 32 boats are pre-entered from Austria, France, Great Britain and Sweden, as well as Catalunya, Spain. This event is increasingly popular as the regatta to start the new year’s sailing, and several countries have been out training for the last couple of days in sunny conditions, 20c, F3 winds and waves! Rumours are that the French and Catalan boats will be there today. The event starts on Saturday, with a first warning signal at 15.30 and racing each day from 09.30 through to Tuesday, with the prize giving at 16.00.

We would welcome any informal news you may have, so Send Email. Meanwhile, the Brits have been reporting back on the GBR 420 website (more about their cooking than the sailing, one has to say!). There is a special Event Website, where the official news should first appear.

Meanwhile, all the very best wishes for a very happy (and windy) New Year to the International 420 Class - sailors, coaches and supporters - and to all the clubs and regatta organisers who have welcomed us in 2009 or are planning 420 regatta and championships. Good 420 sailing in 2010!

Battle lines are shaping up at Largs Bay 
The top three held their positions after Race 7 at Largs Bay, but Griselda Khng & Cecilia Low (with a bullet in R6 are up to 4th overall) and George Davies & Timothy Hannah have put a 23 point gap in front of the following pack after the first discard kicked in. Justin Liu and Sherman Cheng retain a 10+ point lead at the front.

The Results and other information may be found on the Australian 420 Class, South Australia 420 Class and Largs Bay SC websites.

Grez & Vergara and Baeza & Gonzalez are Chile's Champions 
Benjamin Grez Ahrens & Carlos Vergara Infante are Helly Hansen Chile National Champions 2009 and Teresita Baeza & Antonia Gonzalez are Women’s Champions. Jose Antonio & Agustin Jiménez Cox were 2nd overall, and Andrés & Ignacio Ducasse Sorucco were 3rd. Sofía Grez A. & Coté Poncell are the lead “apprentices”.

Head Coach, Cristián Noé, writes: “Good camaraderie ruled at Algarrobo. Some new faces and new boats...the more experienced sailors became mechanics to help the young, and not so young, to repair their boats after the windy first days. Club de Yates Algarrobo, welcomed the sailors back on shore each day with delicatessens and cold beverages to make this Championship a sensational success. Everybody’s stories at the bar were listened to with attention; fun and smiles were evident...Sailors leading races were doing their penalties, demonstrating respect to the entire fleet and, best of all, the not so common fair play! In the last 4 races, 2nd, 3td and 4th were fought over to decide who would be on the podium”.

Results:
1- Benjamín Grez A. & Carlos Vergara I.
2- Jose Antonio & Agustin Jiménez Cox.
3- Andrés & Ignacio Ducasse Sorucco.
4- Teresita Baeza R. & Antonia González A. (1st women)
5- Arantza & Begonia Gumucio J. (2nd women)
6- Tomás & Sofia Middleton.
7- Mathias & Nicolás Robertson J.
8- Sofía Grez A. & Coté Poncell M. (1st apprentices & 3rd women)
9- Ma. Ignacia Cisternas P. & Francisca Fuentes V. (2nd apprentices)
10- Fernanda González V. & Macarena Robert M.

See the Chile 420 Class website for full results and Photos. And now they are going to have a fortnight’s Training Clinic and first ranking event of 2010 - see our Events Calendar. All welcome!

Liu & Cheng take the lead after R5 
Justin Xiaman Liu & Sherman Feng Yuan Cheng (SIN) enjoy a 13 point lead going into the third day at Largs Bay. Meanwhile, Sail Sydney/Sail Melbourne winners, Angus Galloway & Alexander Gough, are putting Matthew Jerwood & Patrick Vos under pressure, just a point behind. George Davies & Timothy Hannah are 4th. Griselda Khng & Cecilia Rui Qi Low (SIN) continue to lead the women, moving up to 5th, followed by Wing Ho Kwan & Wing Chun Lam (HKG). Lucy Shephard & Amelia Catt (Tasmania), with a better second day, broke into the top ten at 7th overall.

The Results and other information may be found on the Australian 420 Class, South Australia 420 Class and Largs Bay SC websites.

Morgan Kiss & Katia DaSilva win Orange Bowl in Florida 
Morgan Kiss, who helmed the US entry at the 2009 ISAF Youth Worlds and headed the podium for the Silver Fleet at this years Junior Euros in Hungary, and her new crew, Katia DaSilva, have won the Orange Bowl Regatta decisively. Working their way up to 2nd overall were Raul Rios & Rogelio Fernandez (Raul was the 2008 Optimist World Champion and represented Puerto Rico at the 2009 ISAF Youths) and Deirdre Lambert & Tracy Doherty were 3rd.

See full results and other information on the Coral Reef YC website.

Jerwood & Vos and Liu & Cheng battle at the top at Largs Bay 
The results for Race 2 having been updated and Race 3 having completed the racing on Day 1 at the Australian National Championships, the picture is becoming clearer....and exciting!

The two front runners, at this early stage in the five-day Championships. are Matthew Jerwood & Patrick Vos, with a 2nd and two bullets giving 4 points so far, and Justin Xiaman Liu & Sherman Feng Yuan Cheng (SIN) on 7 points in 2nd, 14 points ahead of the followers! This renews the 2009 competition between these two teams, where Liu & Cheng (winners of the 2007 Junior Euros and 4th at the 2009 ISAF Youth Worlds) won the Australian Nationals and came second in the AUS Youths, with Jerwood & Vos just behind them in both championships. Watch this space!

George Davies & Timothy Hannah (Victoria) (2nd at both Sail Sydney & Sail Melbourne earlier this month), Angus Galloway & Alexander Gough (Queensland) (winners at both Sail Sydney and Sail Melbourne) and Wing Ho Kwan & Wing Chun Lam (HKG) (Bronze Fleet podium competitors at the 2009 Junior Europeans in Hungary and leading 420 team at the Hong Kong International Regatta) are all on 21 points. Samuel Gilmour & Adam Negri (Western Australia) are 6th (23 pts). Griselda Khng & Cecilia Rui Qi Low (SIN) (3rd at the ISAF Youth Worlds in 2009) are the leading women’s team in 7th, tied on 28 pts with Khairunnisa Mohd Afendy & Norashikin Mohamad Sayed (MAS). Ku Anas Ku Zamil & Mohamad Hafizzudin Mazelan (MAS) are 9th on 29 pts.

The Results and other information may be found on the Australian 420 Class, South Australia 420 Class and Largs Bay SC websites.

The women show the way in Florida 
After a further two races, totalling 6 in the series so far, Morgan Kiss & Katia DaSilva (casting off their OCS from the first race with a discard kicking in) and Deirdre Lambert & Tracy Doherty are in 1st and 2nd on equal points. Jordan Factor & Matthew Wefer are up to 3rd, with overnight leaders, Nicole Barnes & Ian Coyle having a tougher day to end on 4th, while Ian Liberty & Alex Whipple (2nd at the US Atlantics 2009) and Raul Rios & Rogelio Fernandez of Puerto Rico both cast off first race OCS to take 5th and 6th. Marlena Fauer & Christina Lewis (who won the recent US Atlantics) also had a tougher third day to drop from 2nd to 7th overall into the final day at the Orange Bowl Regatta at Coral Reef YC, Florida.

Follow the event at the Coral Reef YC website.

Australian Nationals underway, with Davies & Hannah taking lead after R2 
George Davies & Timothy Hannah of Victoria lead the Australian National Championships after the first day and two races at Largs Bay SC, South Australia. They are a couple of points ahead of Samuel Gilmour & Adam Negri of Western Australia, who are 8 points ahead of David & Michael Arnold of South Australia. The leading women’s team is Carrie Smith & Ella Clark of Western Australia.

But, not only is this just the start of a five-day Championship, it looks as though there may have been an “interesting” 2nd race, with more than 20 DNCs. Among these are some of the leading Australian and Singaporean teams, including Justin Xiaman Liu & Sherman Cheng Feng Yuan (SIN) Angus Galloway & Alexander Gough (Queensland) and Douglas Shephard & Patrick Hutton (Tasmania), who were 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the first race.

The Results and other information may be found on the Australian 420 Class, South Australia 420 Class and Largs Bay SC websites.

USVIs take a Day 2 lead in Florida 
Nicole Barnes & Ian Coyle of the US Virgin Islands are leading after the second day and four races at the Orange Bowl Regatta at Coral Reef YC, Florida. With Georgie Ryan and Hayley Kirk, having a less good day after their double bullets on day 1, dropped to 3rd overall, a point behind Marlena Fauer & Christina Lewis and on equal points with Jordan Factor & Matthew Wefer. Follow the event at the Coral Reef YC website.

Chile Nationals off to a great start 
Class National Head Coach, Cristián Noé, writes, “with winds from S-SW and with 12 to 25 knots of intensity, the 2009 420 Class Chile Nationals are underway, with 11th boats on the start”.

Benjamin Grez & Carlos Vergara, with four bullets, led on the first day after four races, with Andres & Ignacio Ducasse in 2nd. Teresita Baeza & Antonia Gonzalez are third and leading all-women’s team. Sofia Grez & Cote Poncell are the leading novice team and completed all four challenging races.

The championship extends over three days, and 15 races are scheduled. News and results can be found on the Chile 420 Class website.

Galloway & Gough triumph at Melbourne too 
Angus Galloway & Alexander Gough won Sail Melbourne 2009, with 9 points to spare. Lucy Shephard & Amelia Catt were first women.

It looks as though Sail Sydney and Sail Melbourne have been important training events for some of the top Australian 420 teams before the Australian 420 Class’ National Championships at the end of the month and then the Australian Youth Champs from 6 January, where they have over 40 teams already entered., both at Largs Bay SC,

Top five:
1 Angus Galloway & Alexander Gough (Queensland) 14 points
2 George Davies & Timothy Hannah (Victoria) 23 pts
3 Sasha & Jaime Ryan (Queensland) 30 pts
4 Lucy Shephard & Amelia Catt (Queensland) 34 pts
5 Elloise Brake & Ashley Warlow (Queensland) 43 pts

No change at the top after 8 at Melbourne 
....but Elloise Brake & Ashley Warlow have pulled up to 5th overall

Galloway & Gough lead at Sail Melbourne after R6 
The AUS 420 Fleet have moved from Sydney to Melbourne, and Angus Galloway & Andrew Gough are leading again after the first six races. George Davies seems to have found a named crew since Sydney, Timothy Hannah, and they are close behind.
1 Angus Galloway & Andrew Gough (Queensland) 9 points
2 George Davies & Timothy Hannah (Victoria) 11 pts
3 Sasha & Jaime Ryan (Queensland) 18 pts
4 Lucy Shephard & Amelia Catt (Tasmania) 18 pts
5 William LLewelyn & Lewis Duncan (Victoria) 21 pts

Galloway & Gough win Sail Sydney 
Angus Galloway & Alexander Gough have won Sail Sydney. George Davies, with his mystery crew(s), was second and Chuan Yang Ko & Andrew Paul Li Jian Chan of SIN Sailing in third. The podium leaders were 24 points ahead of the followers! Rachel Oing Lee & Benita Jua Hui (SIN) were the leading women’s team

Top ten:
1 Angus Galloway & Alexander Gough (Queensland) 15 points
2 George Davies (Victoria) 24 pts
3 Chuan Yang Ko & Andrew Paul Li Jian Chan (SIN) 26 pts
4 Thomas Klemens & Stuart Baird (Victoria) 55 pts
5 Rachel Oing Lee & Benita Jua Hui (SIN) 56 pts
6 Russell Kan Tsung Lang & Jeremiah Yeo (SIN) 57 pts
7 Sasha & Jaime Ryan (Queensland) 59 pts
8 Lucy Shephard & Amelia Catt (Queensland) 60 pts
9 Elloise Brake & Ashley Warlow (Queensland) 69 pts
10 Ryan Lindsay & Adam Jones (New South Wales) 74 pts

Galloway & Gough extend their lead at Sydney 
With the top five placings unchanged and a further two races under the belt at Sail Sydney, Angus Galloway & Alexander Gough, with only two 2s to count blemishing their row of bullets, have extended their lead to 11 points.
Top ten after seven races:
1 Angus Galloway & Alexander Gough (Queensland) 8 points
2 George Davies (Victoria) 19 pts
3 Chuan Yang Ko & Andrew Paul Li Jian Chan (SIN) 20 pts
4 Sasha & Jaime Ryan (Queensland) 33 pts
5 Thomas Klemens & Stuart Baird (Victoria) 34 pts
6 Russell Kan Tsung Lang & Jeremiah Yeo (SIN) 38 pts
7 Rachel Oing Lee & Benita Jua Hui (SIN) 30 pts
8 Elloise Brake (Queensland) 20 pts
9 Ryan Lindsay & Adam Jones (New South Wales) 44 pts
10 Lucy Shephard & Amelia Catt (Queensland) 45 pts

Falcetelli & Franciolini and Caputo & Barbiero win Imperia 2009 
Francesco Falcetelli & Gabriele Franciolini of CN Senigallia were the decisive winners of the Imperia Winter Regatta today, accumulating a massive 29 point lead over the opposition. The silver step on the podium was taken by Tim Gratton & Ed Riley (GBR) and Jacopo Cunial & Michele Inchiostri of SC di Barcola-Grignano

Roberta Caputo & Benedetta Barbiero of Canottieri Savoia Soc Sport won the Women’s Fleet, just holding off the pressure on the last day from National Champions, Cristina Celli & Silvia Morini of CV Ravennate Ass Sport in 2nd and Sara Amendola & Giulia Paolillo took 3rd.

Top ten teams:
Open Fleet
1 Francesco Falcetelli & Gabriele Franciolini (ITA) 9,0 points
2 Tim Gratton & Ed Riley (GBR) 38,0 pts
3 Jacopo Cunial & Michele Inchiostri (ITA) 54,0 pts
4 Mike Wood & Hugh Brayshaw (GBR) 64,0 pts
5 Malte Winlel & Lucas Tielemann (GER) 68,0 pts
6 Jeanne Courtois & Baptiste Szekely (FRA) 78,0 pts
7 Paolo Virgenti & Luca Silvioli (ITA) 83.0 pts
8 Peter Foldesi & Daniel Borsos (HUN) 102.0 pts
9 Marco Naldoni & Eugenio Basciu (ITA) 105.0 pts
10 Joao Villa-Boas & Tomas Carmelo (POR) 108.0 pts

Women’s Fleet
1 Roberta Caputo & Benedetta Barbiero (ITA) 24 points
2 Cristina Celli & Silvia Morini (ITA) 26,0 pts
3 Sara Amendola & Giulia Paolillo (ITA) 27,0 pts
4 Maelenn Lemaitre & Aloise Retornaz (FRA) 280 pts
5 Amy Seabright & Hermione Stanley (GBR) 36,0 pts
6 Anna Burnet & Flora Stewart (GBR) 41,0 pts
7 Jane Butler & Jenny Andreasson (IRL) 45,0 pts
8 Joanna Freeman & Hannah Mitchell (GBR) 49,0 pts
9 Chiara Magliocchetti & Jessica Conti (ITA) 38,0 pts
10 Giulia Lantier & Martha Faraguna (ITA) 55 pts

Final Results: Open Fleet and Women’s Fleet.

Provisional Final Results from Imperia 
Provisional Final Results issued prior to Prize Giving Open Fleet and Women’s Fleet

SIRs is underway and the 420s are there 
Angus Galloway & Alexander Gough are leading the 15-boat 420 fleet at Sydney International Regatta after the first two days of racing (due to complete on Tuesday).

Top five:
1 Angus Galloway & Alexander Gough (Queensland) 5 points
2 George Davies (Victoria) 11 pts
3 Chuan Yang Ko & Andrew Paul Li Jian Chan (SIN) 14 pts
4 Sasha & Jaime Ryan (Queensland) 20 pts
5 Elloise Brake (Queensland) 20 pts

420 second races of Sunday (first abandoned) 
We have picked up the IWRs Facebook entries at approx. 15.00 Sunday:

“IWR 2009 - SECOND RACE OF THE DAY (FIRST WERE ABANDONED):

“420 OPEN: ITA 53250 - GBR 52483 - ITA 5 - GER 53542 - GER 52991 - AUT 53390 - GBR 52480 - ITA 53584 - ITA 53588 - HUN 52633 - GER 53030 - FRA 52335 - GBR 53380 - ITA 53891 - ITA 52890 - SUI 52149 - SUI 53886 - ITA 51 - ITA 52865 - HUN 52635

“420 LADIES: GER 52896 - ITA 53024 - SUI 53468 - ITA 52081 - FRA 53878 - HUN 53902 - IRL 53160 - SUI 53898 - ITA 53694 - ITA 52885 - ITA 53722 - ITA 53482 - GBR 53591 - ITA 53882 - ITA 53705 - ITA 53711 - ITA 53056 - SUI 53876 - GBR 53959 - GBR 53229”

THIRD RACE OF THE DAY 420 OPEN: ITA 5 - GER 53542 - ITA 52865 - DEN 53917 - AUT 53107 - ITA 53584 - ITA 52870 - CRO 53491 - SUI 52149..............

Falcetelli & Franciolin and Amendola & Paolillo lead into final day 
Sara Amendola & Giulia Paolillo (ITA - LNI Bari) had a good day - and a discard! – to take them into the lead in the Women’s Fleet tonight (Saturday). Roberta Caputo & Benedetta Barbiero (ITA - CANOTT Savoia Soc Sport) had to relinquish the top slot tonight, in spite of two bullets today. Meanwhile, Anna Burnet & Flora Stewart (GBR – Scotland’s RNCYC & Solway YC) are just a point ahead of Maelenn Lemaitre & Aloise Retornaz (FRA - EV Locqirec).

Francesco Falcetelli & Gabriele Franciolini (ITA - CN Senigallia) have a 9-point lead in the Open Fleet. Tim Gratton & Ed Riley (GBR - Hayling Island / Warsash SCs) are 4 points ahead of Friday’s leaders, Malte Winlel & Lucas Tielemann (GER - Schweriner YC)

Click on title for top ten in each fleet.

Thanks to Fabio Taccola, we continue to have pictorial evidence of the racing at Imperia.

Presumably, the results will shortly appear on the Event Results page, but, in themeantime, we have received the following:
Open Fleet Results after R5
Women’s Fleet results after R5

Hopefully, on Sunday – the final day of the 420 competition – we will be able to progress more consistently on the Live Race blog.

Provisional Open Fleet Results after Race 5 
We have received the attached data, but not in a readily usable format. Apologies for the way they look, but maybe better than nothing!

Women's Results after 5 
We have received the attached (above) results from IWR. Unfortunately, the Open Results are unformatted. We are working on it!

Of course, keep watching the Event Website Results page, but we have not found them posted yet (21.00 GMT).

Laura Jelmini's Report on Day 1 

Burnet & Stewart (GBR) and Winlel & Tielemann (GER) both take early lead at Imperia 
Malte Winlel & Lucas Tielemann (GER - Schweriner YC) have a 7 point lead after the first two races at Imperia. Mike Wood & Hugh Brayshaw Hugh (GBR - Draycote Water / Hollowell SCs) are 2nd on 10 points, Francesco Falcetelli & Gabriele Franciolini (ITA – CN Senigallia) 3rd on 12 pts and Joao Villas-Boas & Tomas Carmelo (POR - AN Lisboa) 4th on 14 pts, while Jeanne Courtois & Baptiste Szekely (FRA - USAM Voile) are 5th on 19 pts.

Anna Burnet & Fiona Stewart (GBR – RNCYC / Solway YC) lead the women on 2 points – two bullets! Amy Seabright & Hermione Stanley (GBR – Oxford SC) are 2nd on 9 pts, Maelenn Lemaitre & Aloise Retornaz (FRA - EV Locqirec) 3rd on 10 pts, Roberta Caputo & Benedetta Barbiero (ITA - CN Savoia) 4th on 11 pts and Jane Butler & Jenny Andreasson (IRL - Royal St George YC) 5th on 14 pts.

Provisional Women’s Results after R2 and Provisional Open Results after R2

Imperia Results? 
Message from Laura Jelmini at 17.26: "Ciao. I've just checked with the people in charge, they are still working on arriving list: I hope the will finish soon!!!!"

NB for future reference, also see: Imperia Live Race data and Facebook

Imperia goes live! 
See Imperia Live Race data

Celli & Morini the ones to beat at Imperia? - who will be the movers and shakers? 
Click above for our scan of recent results

240 420 sailors converge on Imperia 
Boats from Austria, Croatia, Denmark, France. UK, Ireland, Poland and Switzerland (big team!) are joining the Italian sailors for the 20th edition of the Imperia Winter Regatta from Friday 4 to Sunday 6 December.

Follow the news and results on the Event Website. See Laura Jelmini’s – ‘architetto, comunicazione & imagine’ – pre-event Press Release attached. The Official Photographer is Fabio Taccola, who will also produce the 2009 IWR Calendar. In the meantime, we have illustrated Laura's press release with some photos from the 2008 edition, and, for now, provided some as Rolling Photos on this page.

Bühler & Volker rule in Argentina 
Nicolás Bühler, Argentina’s President (of the 420 Class!), and Pablo Volker, 2009 South American 420 Champion helm (and yachting journalist extraordinaire), have won Argentina’s National Championships 2009 at the Club de Valeros Barlovento in Buenos Aires, with 9 bullets in the series and 12 points after discards in the 12 race series. Mariana Lombardo & Joaquin Fehrman forged 2nd place on the podium, with 16 points in hand. Tomas & Felicitas Roldan, discarding two OCS from the first week, taking a 2nd in Race 8 and ending with a bullet, pulled up two places from the previous week to take the 3rd step on the podium. Manuel Nogueria & Martin Chammah were the first Juniors, in 5th overall, and Maria Piacenza & Pilar Sanchez were the leading women in 7th.

STOP PRESS: News in from our man on the water (in front of the boat and the fleet….until the last race anyway!), Pablo Volker: “The Campeonato Argentino ended this weekend with 4 races on Saturday and one left for today.Yesterday the whole fleet ended exhausted after 4 races with heavy winds from the South East (around 25 knots). Lots of capsizes and even a broken mast (ARG 52202). At night we all had a really good barbeque at the club, where Martin Chammah, ARG 52856 crew and rockstar, played some music with his band. Today we had the final race with almost no wind and big shifts. The Roldan brothers knew how to win the race from the beginning until the end!” For further information, see Club de Veleros Barlovento

Brugaroles & Pibernat win Andorra’s GrandValira 
The XXI Gran Premi Principat d'Andorra GrandValira was held at Club Nàutic El Masnou in Cataluna last weekend in very challenging conditions. But the top three were quite clear with Alex Brugaroles & Joan Pibernat of CV Blanes the winners by 3 points from Jordi Xammer Hernandez & Joan Herp Morell (CN El Masnou in 2nd and Fernando & Alvairo Urzaiz of CN Salou 3rd, both on 9 points. Montse Milinas & Christina Ibern of CN El Balis were the leading women’s team (in 7th overall).

There was especial celebration in Andorra as their Olympic 470 sailors from the Barcelona (1992) and Atlanta (1996) Games, Oscar and David Ramon-Borra, jumped back in the 420 – after eleven years not sailing together – to take 6th overall! Is this a trend? With double-Olympic silver medallist, Nick Rogers, getting back into 420 sailing too, are we having a veterans’ challenge in the Class? Remember, the 2002 World Champion helm was over 40! Watch your stern, guys!

Click here for the Event Report, for Final Results and for Toni Gimeno’s Photos on Flickr.

Bühler & Volker lead on first weekend of Campeonato Argentino 2009 
Nicolás Bühler has teamed up with South American 420 Champion helm, Pablo Volker, up front . With five bullets in the seven races of the first weekend of the Argentinean National Championship 2009 at Club de Valeros Barlovento, on the North side of Buenos Aires city, they have just three points in hand over Mariana Lombardo & Joaquin Fehrman, running 2nd. The next group are led by Lorencia Lazzari & Alejandro Giralt on 27 points, just one ahead of the leading Junior team, Federico Donzino & Joaquin Varisco. The leading all-women’s team is Paula Meloni & Ana Ortiz, but only 3 points ahead of Camila Delia & Carolina Vadell. Our man on the wire, Pablo Violker, writes: “We had 3 complicated races on Saturday, with a South-West wind with an intensity between 10 and 15 knots, and on Sunday we had another 4 races with A North wind between 8 and 13 knots, more or less”

Click above for results after 7 races. Further and most up-to-date information available from Club de Veleros Barlovento

Start the new year at the Blanes Grand Prix 

Simon & Paruit take the French Coupe d’automne 
The 420 winners of the 40th Grand Prix de l’Armistice at the CV Bordeaux Carcans-Maubuisson are Sebastien Simon & Aymeric Paruit. Clement Ikhlef & Clement Pequin were 2nd and Cassandre Blandin & Marion Lepunier, the leading women, were 3rd. Visotors from Spain, Jordi Xammar & Joan Herp, were 8th overall in a field of 86. The first of the Uniqua France (French 420 Class Association) selection events for their Worlds and Junior European Teams for 2010, we will be watching these sailors with particular interest!

Alain Jacob of CV Bordeaux writes: “During the event, the weather was very sunny and the wind very light. We were able to race on both Saturday and Sunday, a total of 5 races. The wind was up on Sunday from force 2 to 4; all the racers were happy with 4 races. ‘SPORT AQU’ of French TVs France 3 Aquitaine came to see the event and interviewed a 420 team”

1 Sebastien Simon & Aymeric Paruit (SNO Nantes) 9 points
2 Clement Ikhlef & Clement Pequin (SR Rochelaises)11 pts
3 Cassandre Blandin & Marion Lepunier (SNO Nantes / NDCV Angers) 12 pts
4 Martin Bertrand & Xavier Lara (YC Maugio-Carnon / CV Pyla S/M))14 pts
5 Louis Porez & Cedric Mary (YC Antibes / CV St Quentin) 15 pts
6 Hugo Feydit & Pierre Rhimbault (CN La Tremblade / CV Niortais) 18 pts
7 Guillaume Pirouelle & Valentin Sipan (SN P H) 18 pts
8 Jordi Xammar & Joan Herp (ESP – CN Masnou) 20 pts
9 Clara & Lucie Scheiwiller (SN Enghien) 21 pts
10 Martin Aumont & Jean-baptiste Le Goubet (EV Cherbourg) 21 pts

Fauer & Lewis win Atlantics from Liberty & Whipple 
Marlena Fauer & Christina Lewis have won the U.S. I 420 Atlantic Coast Championship at Annapolis Yacht Club by just two points from Ian Liberty & Alex Whipple.

But the close sailing for the top two places on the podium, were mirrored by some close sailing lower down the leaderboard. With a bullet in the last race, Olivia Crane & Ali Blumenthal, while finishing on equal points to Sarah Williams & Tierney Driscoll, made the bronze step on countback. We hear that four races were sailed each day, with conditions of 8-14 knots both days, Our Waterside Correspondent at Annapolis says: "Marlena and Christina sailed a fantastic regatta and braved the rain" [evidently a man who 'cuts out the cackle' and gets straight to the critical points! (ed)].

Camilla Marino and Claudia Soricelli still rule the Mar Tirreno! 
The Italian Women’s National Championship (Campionato Femminile 420) concluded on Sunday with a final, seventh race. This second year of the Championship sees Camilla Marino and Claudia Soricelli win a second time - last year at Crotone in the Ionian Sea, and now on their home waters of Napoli. Silver Medallists at the Ladies’ World Championships this year and Ladies’ Champions at the 2008 Junior Europeans, this is a team we will remember and wish them well in their sailing careers.

Meanwhile, Roberta Caputo, sailing here with Chiara Amato of RYC Canottieri Savoia took second place and Giulia Lantier & Martha Faraguna third.

1 Camilla Marino & Claudia Soricelli (CRV Italia) 9 points
2 Roberta Caputo & Chiara Amato (RYC Canottieri Savoia) 31 pts
3 Barbara Rinauro & Anna Gracia Malventi (CN Posillipo) 32 pts
4 Giulia Lantier & Martha Faraguna (SV Barcola Grignano) 35 pts
5 Elena Berta & Giulia Tisselli (RCC Tevere Remo) 36 pts
6 Lidia Mazzanati & Giulia Palestrini (SN Senigallia) 37 pts
7 Beatrice Frezza & Serena Manfredi (SN Senigallia) 39 pts
8 Cristina Celli & Silvia Morini (CV Ravennate) 40 pts
9 Sara Amendola & Giulia Paolillo (LNI Bari) 49 pts
10 Verena Weber & Marina Montresor (FV Malcesine) 54 pts

Marino & Soricelli running away with it in Napoli! 
Reigning Italian Women’s Champions and former Junior Euro Women’s Champions, Camilla Marino & Claudia Soricelli look as though they are seeing off the opposition at their home club, CVRV Italia in Napoli in the Italian Women’s National Championships. With a 14 point lead after six races, things a looking good!!

Meanwhile, Roberta Caputo & Benedetta Barberio of Savoia, second women and 7th overall at the Italian Nationals at Gravedona in August, are running 2nd on 21 points. Lidia Mazzanti & Giulia Palestrini of Senigallia and Barbara Rinauro & Anna Gracia Malventi of Posillipo are 3rd and 4th on equal 23 points. The current (overall) National Champions, Celli Cristina, 13-Mar-1992, Morini Silvia of Ravenna have some work to do, currently lying in 8th. We hear that they were out on the water around 09.00 am on Sunday waiting for wind. More when we can; thanks to Alessandro!

Fauer and Liberty helm the leading boats at Atlantic Champs so far 
We have had some news – mainly the running results so far from the Atlantic Coast Championship of the US I-420 Class at Annapolis YC. Our correspondent on the waterside writes: “today was a rainy day, Very similar to Plymouth!” [O.K. yje US Sailors that flew into the UK for the GBR National Championships in August did get a tad wet! – but they sailed great, didn’t they coach!).

The results after four races are attached (click above) and Marlena Fauer and Ian Liberty’s boats have a pretty massive lead in 1st and 2nd, but their crews remain a temporary mystery. Hopefully we will learn more later – hopefully with the final outcome after Sunday’s racing.

Kwan & Lam head 420s at Hong Kong International; Villena & Tyong (PHI) return to overall victory! 
Hong Kong International Open Dinghy Regatta 2009 was held at Little Palm Beach, Hang Hau from Saturday 24 to Monday 26 October. Fresh from the Bronze Podium at the Junior European Championships in Hungary, Wing-ho Kwan & Wing-chun Lam of the Hong Kong Sea School were the leading 420 and 2nd overall in the 55-boat Open Fleet.. Ming-hin Leung & Bernard Ian Kay, who were just a place behind at Balaton were 2nd 420 (overall 8th) and Cudennec Yann & Sakai Akira 2nd 420 (overall 8th). A good 420 turnout in Hong Kong, which is very encouraging. Last year’s leading 420 team, Emerson Villena & Lester Troy Tyong of the Philippine Sailing Association were back this year, but won the event in their 470! See Full Results

Volker & Cunill are South American Champions 2009 
Pablo Volker & Agustin Cunill Martinez (ARG) won the Campeonato Sudamericano 420 / Semana de Buenos Aires 2009 decisively on Sunday, following five days of racing Benjamin Grez Ahrens & Carlos Vergara Infante of Chile, last year’s Semana winners and 5th in the South Americans, had a great regatta after a slow start on day 1, to take the Silver place on the podium. Fellow countrymen, Jose & Agustin Jimenez Cox took the Bronze. Florencia Prego & Andrea Martinez of Uruguay are the Women’s Champions.

As and when we hear more detail, we will pass it on. Meanwhile, especial good wishes to those sailors with some very long journeys home. From the rest of us, see you in Buenos Aures at the 2011 Worlds!

1 Pablo Volker & Agustin Cunill Martinez (ARG) 11 points
2 Benjamin Grez Ahrens & Carlos Vergara Infante (CHI) 30 pts
3 Jose & Agustin Jimenez Cox (CHI) 47 pts
4 Mariana Lombardo & Joaquin Fehrmann (ARG) 48 pts
5 Tomas & Felicitas Roldan (ARG) 61 pts
6 Juan Garcia Rodriguez & Tomas Ocampo (ARG) 71 pts
7 Raul Rios de Choudans & Gabriel Ramos Gonzalez (PUR) 80 pts
8 Federico Donzino & Joaquin Varisco (ARG) 91 pts
9 Florencia Lazzari & Alejandro Giralt (ARG) 100 pts
10 Manuel Nogueira & Martin Chammah (ARG) 112 pts
11 Gonzalo Bisi & Tomas Volker (ARG) 117 pts
12 Felipe Caldeira & Alan Dale (BRA)122 pts
13 Finck Manfredo & Carlotto Gonzalo (URU)125 pts
14 Florencia Prego & Andrea Martinez (URU) 125 pts
15 Andres & Ignacio Ducasse Sorucco (CHI) 126 pts

Pablo Volker & Agustin Cunill Martinez win South Americans with a race in hand 
Our very special correspondent in Buenos Aires says he is sorry to be a little slow in sending us news of the sailing on the penultimate day of the South American Championships. We will forgive him – it was party night on Saturday and he, that’s Pablo Volker, and Agustin were celebrating! They are the new South American Champions, with a race in hand!

So Pablo Volker writes (on Sunday morning):”We had a really good day yesterday with a 1, 1, 2. Today only one race left Yesterday we started with a light wind coming from the north at the beginning, with a really choppy river. By the second race it wasn't so choppy, but the wind decreased a lot with some current that meant that only 7 boats could finish the race. Then, after waiting some time for starting the 3rd race, the wind went to the south-east and increased to some nice 7-10 knots. We had a really nice race by the end of the day”.

The 2008 Semana de Buenos Aires winners, Benjamin Grez Ahrens & Carlos Vergara Infante (CHI) scored a bullet in the 3rd race of the day and have an 11-point lead over their fello countrymen, Jose & Agustin Jimenez Cox. Mariana Lombardo & Joaquin Fehrmann are in 4th (54 pints) and Juan Garcia Rodriguez & Tomas Ocampo 5th (63). Florencia Prego & Andrea Martinez of Uruguay are the leading women’s team.

We await the final race and final results. See YC Argentino for further information, photographs and Latest Results, plus the website of Matias Capizzano for his latest images.

Julian & Philipp Autenrieth win German Nationals 
Julian & Philipp Autenrieth are the new German National Champions with a 23-point margin. Frederike Loewe & Anna Rattemeyer took 2nd and are the new Women’s Champions. Till Krüger & Oliver Wichert were 3rd. The Championships were held at the Deutscher Touring YC over the weekend of 10 – 13 October, see Final Results.

1 Julian & Philipp Autenrieth (44 points)
2 Frederike Loewe & Anna Rattemeyer (67)
3 Till Krüger & Oliver Wichert (72)
4 Jan Schliemann & Aaron Scherr (81)
5 Malte Winkel & Lucas Thielemann (90)
6 Gordon Nickel & Daniel-Philip Hoffmann (91)
7 Simon Meister & David Hussl (AUT) (91)
8 Max Weiss & Anna Seidl (92)
9 Benjamin Bildstein & Lukas Hussmann (AUT) (95)
10 Jens Marten & Mats Kampen (97)

Capizzano photographs at Buenos Aires 
As usual at South American events, Matias Capizzano is recording the South American Championships – see www.capizzano.com and YC Argentino, where there is also daily video footage of the Semana de Buenos Aires. We thank Matias for access to his 420 images, some of which are being posted in our Photo Gallery.

ARG-leaders shoot more bullets, but Chile launch double challenge on Columbus Day in Buenos Aires! 
We stand corrected! It was Columbus Day.in the Americas on Monday apparently, so they went on racing in Buenos Aires!

Pablo Volker & Agustin Cunill Martinez continued their run of bullets! Benjamin Grez Ahrens & Carlos Vergara Infante continued theirrise up the leader-board and stand in 2nd overall. And Chile seems to be growing from strength to strength as Jimenez Cox Jose & Jimenez Cox Agustin had a great third day and moved into 3rd. Our (very special) correspondent on the water, Pablo, says “yesterday we had three races more with the first one really shifty and gusty, with wind coming from the west. After that race the wind went up to the north with an intensity of 8-10 knots. We raced the other 2 races with these conditions”.

Volker & Cunill Martinez continue run of bullets in Buenos Aires 
With the South American Championship half through (continues next weekend), Pablo Volker & Agustin Cunill Martinez have been consolidating their (6 point) lead after a discard kicked in, Mariana Lombardo & Joaquin Fehrmann are up to 2nd, but Benjamin Grez Ahrens & Carlos Vergara Infante of Chile, after a slower start on day 1, are now up to 3rd. just a point behind. Chile’s growing 420 Class has three boats in the top ten, and the new fleets from Puerto Rico and Uruguay are also represented in the top fifteen.

We are receiving photographic evidence, thanks to the ever present South American sailing photographer, Matias Capizzano. See Latest Results and YC Argentino, where there is Matias' full gallery.

Top fifteen:
1 Pablo Volker & Agustin Cunill Martinez ARG (4 points)
2 Mariana Lombardo & Joaquin Fehrmann ARG (10)
3 Benjamin Grez Ahrens & Carlos Vergara Infante CHI (11)
4 Juan Garcia Rodriguez & Tomas Ocampo ARG (17)
5 Jose Jimenez Cox & Agustin Jimenez Cox CHI (23)
6 Gonzalo Bisi & Tomas Volker ARG (31)
7 Florencia Lazzari & Alejandro Giralt ARG (32)
8 Andres & Ignacio Ducasse Sorucco CHI (34)
9 Felipe Caldeira & Alan Dale BRA (37)
10 Tomas Roldan & Felicitas Roldan ARG (38)
11 Florencia Prego & Andrea Martinez URU (38)
12 Raul Rios de Choudans & Gabriel Ramos Gonzalez PUR (41)
13 Federico Donzino & Joaquin Varisco ARG (44)
14 Manuel Nogueira & Martin Chammah ARG (46)
15 Manfredo Finck & Gonzalo Carlotto URU (50)

Neil Marsden & Ben Gratton take GBR Inland Championship, while double Olympic Silver Medallist, Nick Rogers, renews his 420 sailing 
The GBRs Class Coach, Neil Marsden and ISAF Youth World Champion crew, Ben Gratton have just won the GBR Inland Championships. Neil Marsden, who is the Head Coach of the GBR 420 Class. is a former Enterprise and GP14 World Champion and GBR 470 National Champion, owns up to over 40 years dinghy sailing at a performance level – and he has been ranked in the top three 470 sailors in the UK for the last five years. Winner of the Worlds Ladies’ Silver Fleet at Riva, Amy Seabright was 2nd with Hermione Stanley, 6th in the Gold Ladies’ at the Worlds this year. An interesting guest appearance as crew for his wife, Fanny, finishing in 10th in a field of 44, was former 420 sailor and double Gold Olympic Medallist, Nick Rogers. 420 Sailing for Life!

See Results and GBR Class Website

South American Championships underway in Buenos Aires with six national fleets 
The Campeonato Sudamericano 420 forms part of the multi-class Semana de Buenos Aires at YC Argentino over two weekends. Pablo Volker & Agustion Cunill Martinez (ARG) have taken an early lead with bullets in the first two races. Close behind on 5 points apiece are fellow-countrymen,
Juan Garcia Rodriguez & Tomas Ocampo and Mariana Lombardo & Joaquin Fehrmann.

Of the 28 entries, Chile has six boats entered, with teams from the new 420 Classes in Uruguay, Ecuador and Puerto Rico, as well as Brazil. Raul Rios (PUR), 2008 Optimist World Champion is leading the challenge from outside Argentina, but with Florencia Prego & Andrea Martinez, the leading women’s team, just one point behind.

Baranzini & Colombo are Swiss National Champions 2009 
Sebastiano Baranzini & Matteo Colombo, having held the lead over the first two days of racing, are the new National Champions. With a further two days of waiting for wind, the regatta concluded on Tuesday afternoon. Lorenzo Benardi & Matteo Capurro finished a very close 2nd and Linda Fahrni & Maja Siegenthaler took thrd on countback from Veronica Maria Maccari & Valentina Balbi.

See Final Results, Swiss 420 Classand. CV Lago di Lugano

Baranzini & Colombo hold the lead on Sunday at Lugano 

Baranzini & Colombo lead on day 1 at Swiss Nationals 

Winter event at the Worlds venue 
Details of the Haifa Winter Regatta have now been posted on the event page. This is your chance to have an early practice at the Worlds 2010 venue.

New US I-420 website 
The US I-420 Class Association has just launched its new website. We welcome it to the 420 'internet-family' and look forward to keeping up with TeamUS' sailors and events. In the meantime, we have news of their forthcoming Atlantic Coast Championship at Annapolis YC at the end of October on our Event Calendar.

3,700 Photos posted from Worlds and Junior Euros 
We now have massive new Photo Galleries, with 2,770 images from everyday at the World Championships in Riva del Garda and 930 images from Junior European Championships on Lake Balaton in Hungary. For a second year, we had Seán Ó Laoire on the water everyday that there was sailing at both Championships. We are grateful for his commitment and his productivity! Giorgio Davanzo also took some great photos at Riva, when his juridical and IT duties allowed (we hope we shall have him on the Jury again soon!!).

For all these images, we do have higher resolution files….some very high resolution indeed. We can arrange to make available medium and high resolution copies in response to reasonable requests, on the understanding that these are for personal use only. Images can also be supplied for editorial, commercial and sponsorship purposes, upon application and with agreement from the photographer, who retains copyright. Please note the event and images reference numbers and Send Email.

Please also note that over 2,700 images posted from the 2008 Worlds (Athens) and Junior Euros (Zadar) are also available, but, because of the high volumes, we will not be able to retain these on the website beyond this year. The image files from the 2007 Euros (Istanbul) and Junior Euros (Medemblik) have been archived.

[There has been quite a delay in posting these photos. Unfortunately, unbeknown to our Webmaster and our Service Provider, new software updates were automatically loaded on the server in early August that revented posting of image files. The cause took a considerable time to diagnose and then put right]

420 sailors perform in 2009 ISA Junior & Girls All Ireland Sailing Championship 2009 

420 Training Camp on Lake Garda 
We have received information about a 420 Training Camp to be held at Torbole between 16 and 18 October. See Notice and Information and Entry Form.

Rokosz & Szopinska, Polish National Champions, where the women rule, OK! 

Lehane & Kennedy win Irish Nationals 

Celli & Morini win Italian Nationals 

Kalderon & Strong GBR National Champions 2009 

Junior European Championship 2009 - Final Results 
Another day of waiting(- and it is getting really hot today, so tents of boat covers and useful keelboat hulls have been brought into use (the USA had an elaborate wigwam!). The top ten 470s have been called to the water in the hope of getting a Medal Race, and the 420s finally got the signal at 15.00 that the Championship is finished.

Much frenetic activity now in the Boat Park, of course, but at 18.00 the Prize Giving and Closing Cerremony, at the next door Hotel Uni.

We might have more later, but, meanwhile, thank you for your patience, and we hope you will keep watching www.420sailing.org in the future.

In a few days time, when it is possible to make time on an internet connection with good bandwidth, we will put up Photo Galleries for the Worlds and for the Junior Europeans.

Saturday 
After a series of notices from the Race Committee through the day regarding posponements, racing was eventually abandoned for the day. Jim Saltonstall had a very well attended third meeting with the sailors. We hope that wind may come tomorrow.

JEC Equipment Statistics 
The Chief Measurer, August Atz, has published the definitive statistics (attached) for the Junior European Championships

"Kiss & McKenna lead the Silvers after two Finals Days" 

"The Bakatsias lead the Qualifiers for Greece" 

Friday: Provisional Results after Protest Hearings 

Friday: Silver & Bronze complete race each; Gold race abandoned 
The attached Provisional Results are pre-protest. They reflect the reported outcome of Race F2 for the Silver and Bronze Fleets, but bthe Gold Flkeet Race F2 was abandoned.

Jim Saltonstall again gave a de-brief to a packed house - some 150 sailors, as well as many coaches and some officials and supporters.....again big applause to conclude!

Just now the pasta party is in full swing, a brief moment of hush before the babble starts again!

Friday at Balaton 
Waiting for wind since 10.00. But now, at 14.30, the boats launched. We wait for further news!

Provisional Results from the water at the end of Thursday's sailing 

Thursday at Balaton: Finals underway (well, some anyway!) 
The fleets went afloat as planned this morning, but much lighter winds than experienced in the last couple of days were predicted. News in so far indicates that the Gold Fleet got underway, but the race was then abandoned. However, the Silver and Bronze Fleets have completed their first race of the day and of the Finals - this is Race 7.

15.00 A Gold Race has now been completed, we understand. The earlier published results have temporsarily been withdrawn, due to an error in the Gold Fleet listings they contained, but we hope to bring an up-dated version soon.

A storm is coming in. The forecast is for more and more stable wind tomorrow.

Jim Saltonstall has been with us all day and his de-brief will be at around 17.00. He tells us that he has 45 mins of very useful footage foir the guys to get their teeth into.

“Good, hard sailing today”…”oh, and I love my Mum!” 
....from Day 2

“Fresh to frightening” or “No pancakes on Lay Day”? 
....from Day 1

Final Series: Fleet Allocation 

Qualification Series: Final Results 

Andreas & Alexandros Baktsias (GRE) just ahead of Skoczek & Soler after R6 
NB – as always the “government health warning”! – treat the attached (click above) Provisional Results after the 6 races of the Qualifying Series with care! We will publish more later, maybe when some of the Protests are over (there is a backlog from yesterday and quite a queue building outside the Editor's window!).

Meanwhile the Qualifying Series has completed with a full set of races. Our Class Course Representative, Soulis, has declared himself satisfied that the Race Committee have managed some good and testing races (the sailors seem to concur with the ‘testing’ bit).

Provisional Leaders:
1 Andreas Baktsias & Alexandros Baktsias (GRE) 8.0
2 Gabriel Skoczek & Thibault Soler (FRA) 9.0
3 Antonius Tsimpokelis & George Karonis (GRE) 22.0
4 Yoav Levi & Dan Froyliche (ISR) 23.0
5 Dominik Grams & Gergely Petraha (HUN) 24.0
6 Sacha Pelisson & Nicolas Rossi (FRA) 25.0
7 Julian Stueckl & Adrian Hoesch (GER) 34.0

Leading Women:
1 Rebecca Kalderon & Rosie Sibthorp (GBR) 44.0
2 Amy Seabright & Katrina Brewer (GBR) 54.0
3 Christina Celli & Silvia Morini (ITA) 59.0
4 Ewa Bartosiewicz & Katarzyna Ostrowska (POL) 59.0

Wow, we have some results from R5. Skoczek & Thibault Soler lead!! 
Thanks to the ladies on the Finish boat and Péter Süle, here on shore, we have some results (click above). These are very, very provisional, because the Finish boat does not have any information on OCS or BFDs We must wait for more later.

Meanwhile, France will have a small celebration after the discard kicked in and Gabriel Skoczek & Thibault Soler have continued their run of bullets to take the overall lead, with overnight leaders, Alexandros-Triantafylos & Andreas Antonius Mpakatsias (GRE) close behind.

The story here seems to be that the wind is dropping, but, while the 470s have only managed to complete one flight's race, the 420s, which are better placed on the Lake for the wind that there is, are going for their second race.

Wednesday at Balaton ("no pancakes day") - CORRECTED 
A windy start today, for what should have been the Lay Day. Sailors were up and ready for launch with strong early winds promised and, for 420s, two Qualifier races to complete the series today (the 470s have, as scheduled, one remaining race of theirs today). The allocation to flights is attached above for information (though we are not sure how this will help you without information from the course during the racing). We understand that the strong winds will drop to zero in the afternoon, so the 420s will want to 'make way while the wind blows'.

Update on results:
420 Provisional Results after 4 Qualifier Races - post majority of Jury Hearings (one postponed to today): Preliminary Results (after most hearings) – 420 Day 2

470 Provisional Results (post Jury Hearings, but two postponed to today): Provisional Results (two hearings postponed) – 470 Day 2

More from Tuesday....some provisional results at last 
We have again had to wait some two \hours after racing was finished to obtain the attached Provisional Results that are, of course, pre-protest, but we have also been advised that there remain some checks to be made with the Race Committee.

Today has certainly been interesting sailing, with strong but shifty wind conditions that have challenged all the sailors. A storm came up toward the end of the last 470 race, when the last flight of the 420s was already coming off the water, and additional support from 420 coach boats and special lifeguard boats that patrol the Lake stood by to ensure the safe return of the 470 fleet.

Preliminary Results – 420 Day 2

Provisional (pre-Protest) Results – 470 Day 2

Photos and News 
We have started to post some images from our own photographer, Seán Ó Laoire in the Photo Gallery. Day 1 are there. More will follow. See Day 1 Photos

We think that your main source of quickest news is here. However, you may like to take a look at the Hungarian Sailing Association website. They are taking news from us and the 470 Class website, but may have additional informatikon, especially photographs from their own sources.

Tuesday Racing at Balaton 
Yes, some rain came and then wind! We think that a first race (R2 abandoned from yesterday) has finished and second started. We also hear mention of Oscar, capsizes and even Victor (this allows coaches inside the exclusion area to assist boats if requested). Balaton is not deep - so the safety of the mast is a consideration, as well as the crew! We think it will be sometime before we have any hard data or facts for you - this is just to whet the appetite - when we have, of course we will pass it on.

Tuesday dawned on a rainy Balaton 
The forecast storm in the night did come in tghe form of some thunder and lightning, but not a generator of wind apparently. The AP flag was flying at 08.30 and the kindly PRO has notified the sailors that the Race Committee do not propose a further signal before 11.00 (so over an hour yet to run).

We have some revised results after Protest hearings last night - click above.

Junior Euros: Day 1 Results etc. 
We have had to wait too! The story is (roughly) that there was one completed 420 race - 9 - 10 knots, "short hiking". A second race was recalled. The second attempt proceeded with black flag and several BFDs, but the race was later abandoned, the wind having dropped. Meanwhile, the 470s managed two races - in the first, they even had Oscar flying for part.

Preliminary Results – 420 Day 1 are attached. These are subject to protest hearings, but also are being verified by bthe Race Committee, so, please treat with especial caution at this early stage of this event.

We will also be publishing the 470 results here - we are uncertain where else these are being posted, but also we are interested in ex-420 sailors' progress, including those who sailed at Riva! 470 Results – Prelim after R1. NB These are subject to change!

Junior Europeans: News from Balaton 
We are in Balaton (in the Editor's case after a bit of a rush with boats to move from Riva to the UK before a late flight to Budapest). Measurement completed yesterday, preparations were frenetic, practice races were held (in flights - ithe "blue" fleet had red pennants, which added to the interest) and the Opening Ceremony was held as part of a cultural event - Balaton is very busy with holiday-makers, as well as sailors from 31 nations.

Now (midday), a calm has fallen on the boatpark (bathed in sunshine) as all the 420s and 470s have launched and gone to their race areas. The wind forecast for today is 5 - 6 knots ("maybe up to 8"). Yesterday, for the Practice Race, they had 6 - 7 knots, and Soulis Papantoniou, the 420 Class Course Representative, was pleasantly surprised that variations in direction were only within 10* either way. Stormy weather is forecast this evening and in the night. This could produce stronger winds over the next two days, then dropping back to light, before a further increase to stronger winds over the weekend. We await further forecasts with keen interest. Anyway, racing has started.

We are not able to bring you up-to-the moment reporing on starts & and finishes here - as we did for the Worlds (this is something of a relieif as reports and photos took second place in Riva and may mean you can get some work done back home!), but we do expect fairly prompt result-posting on this website - these will be not only "provisional", but "draft"! - because they will be radio-reported and unchecked with the Race Committee until their return to shore - you have been warned! (of course, the usual Provisional Results before Protest hearings will be posted for the sailors here, and we will endeavour to up-date the version on the Class website as soon as we can).

If you have queries or comments - Send Email. We will try and monitor, but outgoing e-mail is a challenge! (Skype is good, Hervé)

Equipment Statistics, Photos and ... 
The Chief Measurer has issued the attached schedule of equipment used at the World Championships. Definitive Equipment Statitics.

We know you want photos. There are hundreds by three great photographers. But they will take hours to load, and we are travelling for four days across Europe and back, eventually to Balatonfured in Hungary, for the Junior Europeans. Please be patient we will have full galleries, but they take a long time to process and load, and we need serious bandwidth when we do!

Probably not much more now - we run to the Prize Giving. Ciao!

Wednesday: second races for Gold Fleets 
Ladies' Gold - Race 6 - clear start (09.18), 16 knots.
Ladies R7 FRoundings (Outer Mk4): 53277, BRA51822, ITA53884, IRL52576, 53591.
Ladies R7 Finishers: ITA53884, USA53627, BRA51822, NZL52576, AUS52969.

Gpld Worlds R8 Start: BFD: GER53735, GBR53872, GBR53116m, POR52910, IRL53110, CRO53127, FRA52535, ESP53231
Gold Worlds R8 Finishers: GBR52759, USA51518, FRA535?2, FRA53174, GRE53161

10.21 Ladies R7 start with black flag, but no BFD
Roundings: BRA51822, USA53627, AUS52969, SWE52128, ITA53298.
Finishers: AUS52969, BRA51822, USA53627, ITA53298, SWE52128

Worlds R9 start: BFD: ITA53585, ESP53847, ITA53636
Mark Roundings: 53655, 53838, 52550
Finishers: ITA53838, USA53655, GBR52759, GBR53116, NZL52550

Wednesday: the last day of the Worlds 
A beautiful Riva morning! THe Gold Fleets are on the water. The Ladies Gold had a clean start to their first race at approx. 08.10 with Oscar and 16 knots. The Gold Worlds will follow, the Ladies having priority as they have less Final races "in the bag".

The plan is to get in as many of the three possible races as they can, with the help of the northerly Perler on the north east "Alpha" course. The Silver Fleets are sheduled for warning signals at midday

08.30 The Gold Worlds ('Open') Fleet start after one general recall and the Black Flag flying. BFD: ESP53231, FRA53631, USA53177, ESP53126.

Ldies R5 Mark Roundings: Outer Lopp Mark 3: NZL52 76, GER51731, GER53121, ITA53248, USA53627
Ladies R5 Finishers; NZL52 76, GER51731, GER53121, ITA53248, GBR53591

Worlds R7 Mark Roundings: FRA53632, NZL5250, GBR53116, GRE53161, CRO53227
Gold R7 Finishers: GRE53161, GBR53116, GER53735, NZL52550, CRO53227.

Tuesday: Ladies' Finals Race 4 
Gold Star (R4): Two BFD: GBR53591,ITA53647. 19 knots. Silver Start: Three OCS< NED51662, POL53694, FRA53691 No Oscar (corrected to OCS by Race Officer) Gold Mrk Roundings: 53647, USA53714, POR53472, ITA534705, FRA53697. Silver: GBR51883, GBR52279, ITA53260, POR51990, USA53337 Gold Finishers: 53647, POR53472, 53745, USA53714, FRA53697 Silver Finishers: GBR53379, USA53337, POR51990, GBR51883, FRA53697 Ap over 0 - no more a cing today...bfn (bye for now! ciao)

Tuesday: Ladies Worlds: Finals Race 3 
It started - Gold Fleet -(about 15,45), 10 kn (black flag flying; regular start); Silver fleet start about 16.55 - Clear, no OCSm 9 knots

Gold 1st rounnding (outer loop mark 3): ITA58882, ITA53024, POR53472, ITA53711, ESP53599.
Silver inner loop Mark4: GBR51883, POL53604,JPN52258, USA53438, THA534048

Gold Race 3: ITA53662m POR53472m ITA53024, ITA53711, ? 53151.
Silber R3 Finishers: GBR51883, POL53604,JPN52258, ITA53260 (only 4 available, RO busy with 4th start),

Tuesday: Worlds Finals Race 6 
Gold flet, clean start. 1st Inner gate: 53869, 5?210, 5?583, 52610, 53543
Silver has started (no details)
Gold 2nd roundings: 53869, 53583, 53543, 53737, 54535 (8 knots reported).
Silver coming to 1st on inner loop (12.58)

Gold finishers: 53583, 53869, 53543, 53737, 52535

Silver Fkeet: shortened course for last race....
Silver finishers: 53484, 53645, 50554, 5?484, 53087

The Ladies are out on the course area and ready! ....but will they get action?

Tuesday: Worlds Race 5 
Start of R5: no details reported; Mark roundings: 53161, 52550, 53460, 53632 (only 4 available this time)
Gold 2nd rounding (!): 53460, 53161, 53632, 52550, 53585.
Gold finishers: GRE53460, GRE53161, 52550, 53632, 53585.

Silver 1st roundings: 53645, 53879, 52226, 50554, 53868:
Silver finiahers: 53645, 52226, 50554, 53879, 52363

AP up for the Ladies' - waiting on shore

Going for a 3rd start with the Worlds fleet, but no Oscar!. Regular start

Tuesday: Worlds ("Open") Racing 
On Alpha Course, to catch the best of the morning wind from the North, racing is underway, Gold: Start 010* No Oscar, 12 kn, Oscar at 1st mark. Silver: Regular start, Oscar flying, 14 kn

Gold first gate roundings: 53583, 52550, 52630, 53460, 52535
Silver: inner gate: 53491, 52632, 53184, 53848, 53539
At 09.10: 14/15 knots at inner gate; 17 knots on outer

NB It has been noticed that the Ladies Gold Fleet running Finals Results that have been posted on the FVR website were pre-Protests - Ladies’ after 2 Final Races. The amended results now posted take into accoiunt two DSQs that have a sugnifucant impact on the current leaderboard,

Gold finishers: 52550, 53583, 52630, 52759 (finish boat busy, so to be confirmed!!)....."a lot came together" - 5th finisher: 53161, All Gold nopw finished 09.24.

Silver finishers: 52363, 53172, 54636, 53491, 53733 , but some "protests" over 3rd and 4th.
Gold Fleet preparing for second race of day.

Tuesday: the sun is shining 
07.45: The Worlds ("Open") Fleet are out on the race area and preparing for the first warning at 8.30. THe sun is beginning its work, but there are many wispy clouds up high, so the start of the Ora may be slower in the middle of the day. WE shall see! Meanwhile, the boys (and some gorls!) will be glad to be out on the water after a frustrating day on shore, while the restaurant may need to bank yesterday's takings as there may be less trade today!

Plan for Tuesday 
SI amendment: Worlds ("Open"): 08.30 first warning signal; Ladies' at 12.00.

Monday: More News 
Apparently some of you heard that the Ladies came back....many did....This was because the water Carabinieri (police) told them to, because a storm was predicted. We got some 'rain wind' and the clouds looked stormy. But the Ladies are again out on the course area, and the Race Officer has told us that he will try to start a race shortly, although the wind is slight at 6/7 knots at present.

16.00 Much activity on shore,,,,rain and storm - wind came - mainsails down, boats coveredOppie Sailors screaming.

16.22 AP/A. Ladies returning to shore. No racing today. Maybe we will hear that there will be early racing planned for tomorrow. Fast pasta preparation for hungry Ladies (boys have had quite enough!)

Monday: First news from Garda 
Bonjour, Hervé. Maybe you are the only one waiting for news, but thank you for reminding me!

The situation here at Riva is, once again like the last Qualifier, cloudy this morning. So the sun has not been doing its work. The current plan is that the Ladies will sail two races. They launched at about 11.50 and now, at 12.30, the Race Officer has hoisted AP. So there is some waiting on the water.Meanwhile, the Worlds teams are chilling (and using much bandwidth on the WiFi!). We will tell you more when we have it. Meanwhile, have a good day in Perros.

At around 13.10, we dared to ask the Race Officer by radio how it is. A short answer "0.0 kn"!

Sunday FINALS Racing News 
Somewhat delayed due to internet access overload (big time!!), but we hope we are back.

Ladies: Gold Start 13.25 Oscar 14 kn: OCS ITA53711, SWE52128, POR53472, GER51731

Silver 13.35 No OCS 14 kn.
Mark 3 Rounding - Gold: AUS52969, GER53127, USA53627, GER53121, ITA53884.
Silver: GBR5188, GRE53167m GBR53644, POL53604, USA53337

Ladies Gold Finish: 53127, 51822, 52969, 53160, 53884
Ladies': Silver: Romeo at Mark 2.
Ladies' Silver Finish: 51883, 53604, 53644m 53260, 53167

Ladies Gold Race 2 started no Oscar + No OCS
Ladies Silver Race 2: Start, no Oscar, no OCS
PS we hear that there were five protests from Gold Ladies Race 1 - "batton down the hatches!"

Ladies Gold Mark 3 Roundings: 53559, GER53127, ITA53647, GER53476, NZL52576
Silver Mark 4: POL53605, GBR53379, ESP53138, USA51213, ITA52888 Oscar Flag at Mark 4

You nwill see that we are having radion communication problems with Bravo (Worlds) Course, so you may need to watch the overall reults when published by FVR. sorry!

Ladies Gold Finals R2 Fnishers: GER53127, ESP53599, ESP53111, GER53476, ITA53647
Ladies Silver R2 Finishers: POL53605, GBR53379, GBR51883, ITA52888, ESP53138

Ladies on shore (15.30). Worlds do three races. More if7when we can, but overall results are buildling - see FVR as uual. NB note above re. Q results is R1 etc,

Ladies’ Results; AP/1 for the Finals 
Everyone sitting about under the trees….waiting for the wind, so AP/1 for now.

And the Ladies’ overall results for the Qualifiers are posted, see
FVR Results

Race 5 Ladies 
Blue/Red started, with OCS: 52888; possibly a 2nd boat - awaiting confirmation.
Yellow/Blue started with OCS: GBR51883 & BRA 51822.

Blue/Red mark rounding: IRL53160, ESP53722, GBR53592
Blue/Green: ITA53884, GBR51883, ESP53422, GBR52229, USA53337.

Finishers: Blue/Red: IRL53160, ESP53111, GBR53592, FRA53878, GER52722
Yellow/Green: ita53884, gbr51883, gbr52229, 52576, 53422

Racing finished for today.....and tomorrow is a lay day! (for some!)

Friday News 2 ....Race 4 underway for Worlds Fleet 
Most boats launched by 12.20. We may miss the start....but will be with you asap.

Cofrrection! The Worlds fleet launched. The Ladies are having an extended siesta, but, regrettably, without much sub. It is humid!

Two races started for Worlds Fleet. 13.14 Green/Red started 010* and 14knots, with Oscar, but Romeo at 1st Mark. 2nd group: Yellow/Blue started at 13.25, bearing 020* 12 knots (no Oscar).

Somed communication problems with radio signal from Course, so we are unable to bring you Mark Roundings or top Finishers for R4 here - full results should be posted oon FVR Calendar very shortly.

Ladies launched at 14.50.

Friday news from a cloudy Garda 
Today, we have some cloud. If you read our report "Measured, Registered, Practiced...." (see earlier news item), you will have understood the implications for the wind today. PRO Ion Echave briefed the Coaches at 10.00 am (the Italian Team Leader had also called an Italian helm's meeting at the same tiime, so there was a BIG turnout for today's briefing!) and explained the implications of the cloud.

Without strong sun, the thermal wind, the "Ora" will be less certain. "We will need to wait and watch. We will not want to "chase the wind" and move marks on each course area because of the time it would take to move marks in the very deep waters. An option may be possible that the North wind will be strong enough at the northern end of the lake to set a course, when it would be necessary to bring both fleets there for a race. 'It will be a "tricky" day', said Nino Shmueli. Meanwhile, AP/1 means the earliest racing can start will be 13.00.

For now, there are many sailor meetings, use of the WiFi, general chilling and much conversation around Fraglia Vela Riva.....Wish you were here!

Results are published by Fraglia Vela Riva 
For the latest published overall results go via Fraglia Vela Riva Calendar.

Flights for qualifying races for Ladies World Championship 

Flights for qualifying races for World Championship 

Live(ish) news from Garda - Thursday 
12.00: The Fleets are afloat. The postponement flag is flying....waiting for the Ora to fill - see Wednesday Report for detailed briefing on winds of Grada and race management by PRO.

While we wait, the arrangements for the racing are detailed in the Sailing Instructions, but to explain that the two Championships are on two different racing areas - Bravo to the South for the Open, and Alpha towards the North for the Ladies'. For the Qualifying Series, they will be sailing in four flights for each: Yellow, Blue, Green & Red and each will be paired for each race on a rotation.

12.35: the Ora is coming (Cooling breeze foor us landlubbers). 12.50 AP down. Sequence. Alpha R1 Yellow/Blue start at 13.00 - no OCS; Red/Green start at 11.11 - no OCS; Bravo (open) course: Yellow/Blue start 12.54 (180* 10kn) no OCS, 1st Mark 13.06; Green/Red - start 13.04 - many OCS incl. FRA52808, AUT53733, ISV53373, USA51520

Measured, Registered, Practiced…at last the Racing will Start 

SIs and Registration Lists published 
Click here for the Sailing Instructions and Ladies’ and World Championships Registration Lists.

Record entry at Garda prepares for 420 Worlds 

World Championships 2009: Riva del Garda 
We will be providing news here during the Championships. Results will be posted on the Fraglia Vela Riva website, but we plan to provide news during each day when we can.In the meantime, we welcome contact, comment or questions, so be in touch Send Email.

Peponnet & Lebrun win the French Nationals 
b>Kevin Peponnet (SR Rochelaises) & Julien Lebrun (ASPTT La Rochelle) took the Championship by a point from Hugo Feydit (CN La Tremblade) & Pierre Rhimbault (C Voiles Niortais), with Clement Ikhlef & Clement Pequin (SR Rochelaises) taking 3rd. Perrine Geniteau & Marion Aumont (CV St Quentin) were the Women’s Champions

“GBR Gold confirmed” 
ISAF Youth Worlds write: Philip Sparks & Ben Gratton (GBR) won today’s Boy’s 420 race to clinch gold. The French team of Gabriel Skoczek & Thibaut Soler win silver and Benjamín Grez & Carlos Vergara Infante win Chile’s first ever medal at the Youth Worlds by claiming bronze.

With Martine Grael & Kahene Kunze (BRA) already assured of Gold and Camilla Marino & Claudia Soricelli (ITA), Silver (though the two teams logged 1st and 2nd in the 8th race today), it was Griselda Khng & Cecilia Low of Singapore that won the Bronze medal in the women’s.

Final Results – Girls’ 420 and Final Results – Boy’ 420

"Australia, France, Great Britain and Singapore win Gold on final day of 2009 Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship" 
Excerpt from ISAF Youths Final Day Report: ' On the 420 course, today's breezy conditions were again just about perfect for the British Boy's pairing of Phil Sparks and Ben Gratton, who clinched the title with another dominant race win in today's decider. After being disqualified from race four of the series they've been virtually faultless for the second half of the championship.

' "We knew we were quick in this wind so we were quite conservative on the start and just went for the space," Sparks explains, "We speeded off the line and just went full speed upwind and got to the windward mark in first with a bit of a gap." From there only the Kiwis ever came close to threatening, but by the final run the Brits had victory secure and cruised across the line to take gold. In the battle for silver Chile's Benjamín Grez and Carlos Vergara were looking good until a problem with their spinnaker hoist on the final reach cost them several places and this was enough for Gabriel Skoczek and Thibaut Soler (FRA) to clinch second overall. Still Grez and Vergara were delighted to claim bronze, the first-time Chile has won a medal at the Youth Worlds.

'Martine Grael and Kahena Kunze (BRA) already had gold wrapped up in the Girl's 420 fleet but that didn't stop them powering to victory in their favoured windy conditions today. Italians Camilla Marino and Claudia Soricelli have also excelled in the breeze this week and followed the Brazilians in to take second place today and the silver medal. Singapore won their second medal of the championship as Griselda Khng and Cecilia Low showed they are not just light wind specialists with a fourth place today giving them the bronze.'

Final Day at Buzios 
By ISAF Youth Worlds: “It’s the final day of the 2009 Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship! One race is scheduled for each of the seven events starting at 11:30 local (14:30 UTC). Great conditions, looking similar to yesterday, with clear skies, and northerly seabreeze around 10-15 knots. Three gold medals have already been sewn up, but in the Boy’s RS:X, Girl’s Laser Radial, Boy’s 420 and Open Multihull it looks set to be an incredibly close battle”.

ISAF Day 5 Report: "The Gold Rush begins...." 

Day 5: Volvo ISAF Video 

Eric Picel’s report for Thursday is attached 
Click here for his Photo Gallery and Thursday’s YouTube video. The Results may be found on the Event Website.

ISAF declares Grael & Kunze Gold and Marino & Soricelli Silver 
"....whilst any of the next six crews from the USA, Singapore, New Zealand, Spain, Australia and Great Britain are in with a genuine chance of winning bronze"

Morgan Kiss & Laura McKenna (USA) speak as they move into 3rd 

Sparks & Gratton are back, but can they hold the lead? 
After three races today and the discard kicking in, Phil Sparks & Ben Gratton (GBR) lost their DSQ from race 4 and scored two bullets and a 2nd to re-take the lead by 13 points. Bernard Scoczek & Thibaut Soler (FRA) are back in 2nd on 22 points, while Benjamin Grez & Carlos Vergara retain 3rd on 22 pts.

Veterans Justin Liu & Sherman Cheng, who won the 420 Junior Europeans in 2007 and have dominated in Asia, have pulled themselves up to 4th on 31 pts, while Jordi Xammer & Joan Herp are 5th on 40 pts.

Grael & Kunze maintain their lead at the ISAF Youths 
After three races today, ISAF Youth veterans Martine Grael & Kahene Kunze (BRA) achieved a 7 point lead over Camilla Marino & Claudia Soricelli, the 2008 Junior European Women’s Champions, who are on 22 pts.

Morgan Kiss & Laura McKenna (USA), in spite of having to discard a black flag in the last race have steadily built their position to 3rd overall, by a point! But Griselda Khng & Cecilia Low, Singapore’s representatives at last year’s ISAFs, in 4th. But they share 40 points with Alexandra Maloney (with a 2nd and two bullets today!) & Bianca Bacher (NZL) and Eklia Borrego & Nora Brugman (ESP). Lauren Thredgold & Megan Soulsby (AUS) are on 43 and Rebecca Kalderon & Rosie Sibthorp (GBR) on 45.

The battle for Bronze should be exciting!

Peponnet & Lebrun regain the lead after Race 4 at Port Blanc 
Kevin Peponnet (SR Rochelaises) & Julien Lebrun (ASPTT La Rochelle) are on 16 points after Race 4 on Thursday, with Damien Brenac (YC Antibes) & Julien Lacaze (SN Bandol) 2nd on 17 pts and Martin Aumont & Jean-Baptiste le Goubey (EV Cherbourg), 3rd on 20 pts.

But three teams are tied on 23 points after race 3, Perrine Geniteau & Marion Aumont (CV St Quentin) – the leading women’s team, Sam Robinson (West Kirby SC) & Peter Alton (Oxford SC) (GBR) and Louis Padnos & Ben Spector (USA – Mactowa Bay YC Michigan)

Racing gets underway again at the ISAFs 
ISAF: All the boats are heading out, and it looks like being a great day of racing in Buzios. Hardly a cloud in the sky and NE breeze of 12-15 knots, maybe a little stronger. Three races scheduled for all events with first starts at 11:30 local (14:30 UTC)”.

Ida Marie Baad Nielsen from Denmark tells us about her day yesterday on the 420 course. She is currently 19th in the ranking.

Good outlook for today at Buzios 
ISAF said: “Bright skies, wind from the north – the weather in Buzios looks like it’s back to normal. We’ll have to wait for this morning’s weather briefing for the official forecast but the initial signs are good”. The plan for today was: “ three races (races 5-8 of the series) are schedule for each class with the first start moved forward to 11:30 local (15:30 UTC). One race is scheduled for the final day of the championship on Friday”.

We await news, but, in the meantime, we can listen to Benjamin Grez of Chile, currently lying 3rd in the men’s, who spoke at the beginning of yesterday (the ‘no wind’ day) and watch Volvo ISAF artistry as boats launched, but to no avail; some familiar 420 faces!

As always, the news should first appear on the Event Website, or via the there to the Facebook/Blog/Twitter links.

De Brenac & Lacaze lead at French Nationals 
Damien de Brenac (YC Antibes) & Julien Lacaze (SN Bandol) lead after the first day’s three races at Port Blan in the French National Championships. Martin Aumont & Jean-Baptiste le Goubey (EV Cherbourg) are 2nd and Sam Robinson (West Kirby SC) & Peter Alton (Oxford SC) (GBR) are 3rd on equal points. Results are being posted on the Event Website.

Who says ISAF and Volvo have a monopoly on 420 film making?…… Port-Blanc’s answer is Eric Picel 

"Wind frustrates competitors again at 2009 Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship" 
ISAF's Wednesday report

Three races in the bag at Port-Blanc on Day 1 of French Nationals 
Eric's Daily Report and Photos are in (click above) - every editor's dream, this guy! For the results, we may have to wait until tomorrow....we think the Race Committee may gone for dinner....or maybe even to sleep!

Meanwhile, we hear that the Uniqus France 420 Webmaster had a good day's racing and even practised his best diplomatic skills by saying 'Hi' to the Irish Coach on the water.....so international relations are good in Brittany tonight, even if the competitiion is serious, especially for those teams seeking last places at the 420 World Championships to be held on the Lago di Garda at the end of the month.

Volvo Youth Worlds: "All racing has been cancelled for the day due to lack of wind on the race courses" 
Wednesday 15/09/08 19.30 GMT. More information may be found on: Youth Worlds on Facebook, Event Website and International 420 website

Day 3 video from Volvo ISAF Youth Worlds 
Day 3 video from Volvo ISAF Youth Worlds

French "Fête Nationale", but gusty conditions at Port-Blanc 

Rest, Recuperation and Preparation during Lay Day at Armação de Búzios 

'Eric of the Club' dispatches his first report from Port-Blanc 
Our special correspondent in Brittany is back!

Leaders’ video interviews before Monday’s racing 

FRA takes the lead in the Men’s, and BRA. narrowly, the Women’s 
After a poorer first race today, Bernard Skoczek & Thibaut Soler scored a bullet in the second, Following an amendment to the results this evening, with a DSQ for Phil Sparks & Ben Gratton (GBR), who have dropped to 7th, Skoczek & Soler lead the field into the lay day. Benjamin Grez & Carlos Vergara (CHI) had to concede position to David Vignone & Matteo Ramian (ITA) who took 2nd in the final race oand end the day in 2nd overall..

Brazil’s Martine Grael & Kahena Kunze took a 1st in the fourth race to top the leaderboard, but on the same points as Rebecca Kalderon & Rosie Sibthorp (GBR), who had already moved into 2nd overall after their performance in the first race of the day. Camilla Marino & Claudia Soricelli (ITA), reigning 420 Junior European Women’s Champions, are 5 points behind in 2nd, and Morgan Kiss & Laura McKenna’s 2nd in the last race gives them 4th overall overnight.

Rebecca Kalderon & Rosie Sibthorp and Matteo Ramian are giving us their take on the day....and the lay day plans! 

Race 3 gives Marino & Soricelli the Women’s lead 
With an OCS in the first race of the day, Khng & Low (SIN) will be looking forward to a discard. Meanwhile, Marino & Soricelli (ITA) take over the lead and Kalderon & Sibthopr leap over Grael & Kunze to take the third slot. Presumably, the RO is looking for a second race.

Meanwhile, the Sparks & Gratton (GBR) lead extended to 11 points, as Skoczek & Soler (FRA) and Grez & Vergara (CHI) evidently had a tougher time. Vignone & Ramian (ITA) threaten them, while Kim & Bae (KOR) took a bullet.

Brevan Thompson & Callum Kilpin join TeamRSA on YouTube 

Day 3 Update from ISAF Youths “race blog” 
“Race day three and it’s a beautiful morning in Buzios. Two races scheduled across each event, with forecast for light and shifty conditions, although at the moment the wind seems pretty steady. First starts at 12:00 local time. During his first post-race debrief, Santi Lange spoke of minimizing risk-taking in these type of conditions, so it will be interesting to see who’s been listening!…”

"Frustrating Day Two as strong winds halt racing..." 
News on Event Blog: “Today’s scheduled races have all been cancelled due to extremely strong winds around 30 knots. Two races are scheduled across each of the seven events for tomorrow, with much lighter and shiftier winds expected. The Race Committee will try and make up today’s cancelled races after the lay day (14 July) when better seabreeze conditions are forecast”.

and Facebook: “The racing has been cancelled for the day, with two races still scheduled for tomorrow. The wind is still gusting 30 knots out on the race courses. Weather for tomorrow looks light, but the race committee will do their best to get the racing in”.

And have you seen the YouTube videos?…..Griselda Khng gives an interview on YouTube – our media star!

We are sourcing images through Volvo Ocean Race - you will see some on the Rol;ling photos on this page, but we will be posting all we get on the PhotoGallery.

ISAFs Day 2 Press Release. If we are slow with the news, go direct to ISAF Youths website for all the options.

Sparks & Gratton and Khng & Low take early lead at ISAFs 
After first two races:
Men:
1 Philip Sparks & Ben Gratton (GBR) 3 points
2 Benjamín Grez Ahrens & Carlos Vergara Infante (CHI) 5 pts
3 Bernard Gabriel Skoczek & Thibaut Soler (FRA) 5 pts
4 Davide Vignone & Matteo Ramian (ITA) 11 pts
5 Jordi Xammar & Joan Herp (ESP) 16 pts

Women:
1 Griselda Khng & Cecilia Low (SIN) 6 points
2 Camilla Marino & Claudia Soricelli (ITA) 9 pts
3 Martine Soffiatti Grael & Kahena Kunze (BRA) 9 pts
4 Rebecca Kalderon & Rosie Sibthorp (GBR) 12 pts
5 Morgan Kiss & Laura McKenna (USA) 15 pts

For full information, see Results and ISAF News

Le Trégor reports on forthcoming 420 & 470 Nationals 
See also Uniqua France 420 website.

Brazil’s greatest sailor, Torben Grael, welcomes ISAF Youth Worlds competitors 
With the 39th Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship races starting on Saturday, Brazil’s greatest sailor, Torben Grael, specially welcomed and encouraged the gathering sailors. As he just won the Volvo Ocean Race, this all-conquering Ericsson 4 veteran turned to the next generation of champion sailors, a record 280+ competitors from 59 nations, congregating in the port of Búzios. See. ISAF News.

ISAF have just published the Entry Lists, although a few have yet to be confirmed (hopefully, they are on their way!!). 32 boys' and 24 girls' teams are entered in the 420. The ISAF Youths' Event Website is where news and results will be found first.

Our faithful and regular correspondent from the Brazilian 420 Class, ‘super-crew’ Nic Castro (other sailors may have caught him on Facebook), wrote in May to tell us that National Champions, Felipe Haddad & Nicolas Castro and Martine Grael & Kahena Kunze would be representing Brazil. Senior 420 sailors will remember that Martine took 7th at the 2008 Arhus Youths in the 29er and 4th in the 2008 Athens 420 Worlds, both with Daniela Adler (who will be back with her in Garda!); Kahena Kunze is an ISAF Youths veteran too, having been 6th in Kingston, Ontario in 2007.

Nic had a message from “the four young (Brazilian) sailors (who) are very proud and happy to represent their country in an event so important for the local sailing population, already having the possibility of the Olympic Games 2016 in Rio de Janeiro in sight. They will try to make life on the water as hard as possible for the other sailors, but will also welcome everyone with arms wide opened as the country intends to do!”.

Best wishes to all the sailors, especially those sailing the 420!

Port Blanc “cleared for action” for French Nationals 
The French National Championships (“Coupe Nationale”) are taking place next week in Port Blanc on the Côtes-d'Armor in Brittany. News from the regional newspaper, Ouest France suggests that preparations are well in hand.

This event has, for many years been popular with sailors from neighbouring countries, and,for teams from further afield when World or European Championships are being held nearby. This year teams from the USA and US Virgin Islands will join those from Belgium, Ireland, Switzerland and the UK. Apart from being the French Class national championship, it is also the final selection event for remaining places in their Worlds and Junior European teams.

Generally the event is held in Brittany, a popular summer holiday destination, and this year it returns to the tiny, but very successful venue of the 2005 Coupe, Port Blanc, on the Côtes-d'Armor. To ensure the envy of those who have not entered, or cannot be there to support their tems, we have made an attempt at a translation of the presentation from the town of Penvénan website.

We expect to have daily news from the event, but see also the CN Port Blanc website.

Deckers & Bos win Flanders 
1 Max Deckers & Duko Bos (NED) 17 points
2 Guillaume Pirouelle & Sipan (FRA) 21 pts
3 Clara & Lucie Scheiwiller (FRA) 27 pts

General Assembly 2009 - Agenda and Proposals published 

Deckers & Bos take over the lead at Flanders on Day3 
After 8 races and a discard kicking in, Max Deckers & Duko Bos are now in the overnight lead
1 Max Deckers & Duko Bos (NED) 17 points
2 Clara & Lucie Scheiwiller (FRA) 21 pts
3 Guillaume Pirouelle & Sipan (FRA) 23 pts
4 Baptiste Berthier & Camille Andreys (FRA) 33 pts
5 Andrew Wishart & Liam Garrison (GBR) 35 pts

Open Regatta at Balaton prior to Junior Europeans 

Scheiwillers maintain perfect score on day 2 at Flanders 
1 Clara & Lucie Scheiwiller (FRA) 4 points
2 Max Deckers & Duko Bos (NED) 15 pts
3 Baptiste Berthier & Camille Andreys (FRA) 17 pts
4 Lys Moulaert & Sophie Audenaerdt (BEL) 19 pts
5 Andrew Wishart & Liam Garrison (GBR) 26 pts

The Scheiwillers take an early lead at Flanders 
Clara & Lucie Scheiwiller (FRA) scored two bullets in the two races on day 1 (Sunday) at Nieuwpoort, Belgium. Guillaume Pirouelle and Valentin Sipan are running 2nd and Max Deckers & Duko Bos (NED) are 3rd, Moulaert Lys & Sophie Audenaerdt 4th, Baptiste Berthier & Camille Andreys (FRA) 5th and Andrew Wishart & Liam Garrison (GBR) 6th, in a field of 22.

Falcetelli & Francioloni win the Intervela. with Caputo & Urzaiz first women 
Francesco Falcetelli & Gabriele Francioloni (ITA) won the 59th Intervela at Fraglia Vela Riva today, some 18 points ahead of Fernando & Alvaro Urzaiz (ESP) 63 pts, who beat Nicolo’ Briante & Giacomo Fossati (ITA) by one point. The women were led by Roberta Caputo & Benedetta Urzaiz (ITA), 7th overall, followed by Federica Salva’ & Monica Pagani (ITA) 10th and Sara Amendola & Gulia Paolillo (ITA) 11th. Dominik Grams & Gergely Petrahai (HUN).won the Silver Fleet, with Lara vadlau & Rudi Weiss (AUT) 2nd and Antonio Tamburin & Matteo Raveglia (ITA) 3rd.

Top 20:
1 Francesco Falcetelli & Gabriele Francioloni (ITA) 45 points
2 Fernando & Alvaro Urzaiz (ESP) 63 pts
3 Nicolo’ Briante & Giacomo Fossati (ITA) 64 pts
4 Jordi Xammar & Joan Herp (ESP) 64 pts
5 Adonis Tsiboukelis & George Karonis (GRE) 67 pts
6 Jorge Martinez & Tomas Ugalde (ESP) 71 pts
7 Roberta Caputo & Benedetta Urzaiz (ITA) 78 pts
8 Santiago & David Mas Depares (ESP) 83 pts
9 Ben Palmer & Konrad Weaver (GBR) 87 pts
10 Federica Salva’ & Monica Pagani (ITA) 88 pts
11 Sara Amendola & Gulia Paolillo (ITA) 97 pts
12 Yoav Levi & Dan Froyliche (ISR) 109 pts
13 Josh Pistol & Piers Strong (GBR) 111 pts
14 Kevin Peponnet & Julien Lebrun (FRA) 112 pts
15 Julian & Philipp Autenrieth (ITA) 113 pts
16 Mike Wood & Hugh Brayshaw (GBR) 118 pys
17 Davide Ortelli & Leonardo Zaggia (ITA) 124 pts
18 Imogen & Hermione Stanley (GBR) 128 pts
19 Leonardo Dubbini & Alessandro Gemini (ITA) 139 pts
20 Carlota Massana & Ana Lobo (ESP) 140 pts

See Gold Fleet and Silver Fleet for full results

Final Day at the Riva Intervela 
13.00: "Three races in the morning. for class 420. Regatta finished.(other clases still racing). Results asap"

Falcetelli & Franciolini closely followed by Caputo & Urzaiz into last day 
Following a morning’s race in the Qualifiers, the Gold and Silver Fleets took to the waters of Garda at Riva on Thursday afternoon for two Finals races.

With a 1st and 2nd, Francesco Falcetelli & Gabriele Francioloni take the lead, while Roberta Caputo & Benedetta Urzaiz are just one point behind and are leading women, though Giovanna Massidda & Marcella Mamusa (4th overall) took a 1st in race 2 this afternoon. Fernando & Alvaro Urzaiz (ESP) are 4th, and Davide Ortelli & Leonardo Zaggia (ITA) are 5th on the same points as Massidda & Mamusa. Should make for an interesting final day on Friday.

Federica Beltrame & Cristina Piazzi (ITA) lead the Silver Fleet, but on equal points with Dominik Grams & Gergely Petrahai (HUN).

First warning signal at 08.25 on Friday!

See Gold Fleet and Silver Fleet results on Thursday night

Thursday on Garda: Bulletin 
15.00: "Results fixed ! at 15:00. 1st start of the 5th race (1st final) - 2 races scheduled for today. Ciao, Marzia"

13.00: "2 races sailed this morning, but a mess in the results because many sailors raced with the wrong colour !!!!! We are now trying to fix the results, before splitting the fleet in gold and silver….:-(((". We have the Results link above, in case we are slow at up-dating the news and today's flights get unscrambled in the meantime! Commiserations to the Race Office!

Bulletins from Fraglia Vela Riva 
16.30: "No races in the afternoon due to lack of wind. Tomorrow: first warning signal in the morning." The Ora fases evidently.

12.00: "Southern wind “Ora” has already started blowing – about 20 knots. All the sailors ready to start!".....those of us at home must just imagine sitting on the Club verandah, with the breeze blowing up the Lago and the sailors heading out to the race course. All right for some!

Ortelli & Zaggia lead after R2 at Riva 
All is now clear! (thanks to our special correspondent in Riva). They could not sail one of the two fleets’ second race on Wednesday, so the guys had to be up and on the water early for a 09.00 warning signal today! They had a “very good race with northern light wind”, reports Marzia Busana, and full results for the first two races of the qualifyers are now attached.

Davide Ortelli & Leonardo Zaggia (ITA) lead on 9 points. Alexander Coyle & Jozsi Nemeth (ISV) and Stamatia Fragiadaki & Nefeli Papagiannakou (GRE), the leading women, are on 11 points.

“Now the fleets swap colour – in the afternoon 3 races scheduled – first warning signal at 13:00”

US and US Virgin Islands make an early showing at the Intervela on Garda 
Alexander Coyle (ISV) and Judge Ryan (USA) seem to be helming the lead 420s after first races of two Qualifying Fleets at the 2009 Intervela at Riva del Garda. Jorge Martinez (ESP) and Jacopo Plazzi (ITA) are on 2 points and Santiago Mas Depares (ESP) and Kevin Peponnet (FRA) are on 3 points apiece. And Amy Seabright (GBR) and Stamatia Fragiadaki (GRE) lead the women on 5 points, with Sara Amendola (ITA) on 6 points.

Very early days, but with 127 entrants, the Intervela looks set for a great competition and good experience for those entered for the World Championships at the end of the month. (We’ll try and catch the crews tomorrow!)

Sparks & Gratton win Kiel 2009; Weger & Lechler lead the women 
Phil Sparks & Ben Gratton (GBR) won the Kieler Woche today by 2 points from close contenders, Julian & Philipp Autenrieth (GER). Justin Liu & Sherman Cheng (SIN) were 3rd.

Svenja Weger & Wiebke Lechler (GER), 4th overall, led the women, with Rebecca Kalderon & Rosie Sibthorp (GBR) 2nd and Lisa Schweigert & Lisa Frisch (GER) 3rd.

Many of the sailors at Kiel are preparing to represent their countries at the ISAF World Youth Championships in Brazil and/or the 420 Class World Championships at Riva del Garda. There will be a further opportunity to guage the international form for the latter at the forthcoming 59th Intervela on Garda and at the French Coupe Nationale at Port=Blanc. Watch this space!

Top 25 from a field of over 160:
1 Philip Sparks & Ben Gratton (GBR) 12 pts
2 Julian & Philipp Autenrieth (GER) 14 pts
3 Justin Liu & Sherman Cheng (SIN) 25 pts
4 Svenja Weger & Wiebke Lechler (GER) 41 pts
5 Fabian Kaske & Alexander Schätz (GER) 45 pts
6 Rebecca Kalderon & Rosie Sibthorp (GBR) 54 pts
7 Ben Palmer & Konrad Weaver (GBR) 59 pts
8 Lisa Schweigert & Lisa Frisch (GER) 67 pts
9 Imogen & Hermione Stanley (GBR) 72 pts
10 Matt Rainback & Simon Foskett (GBR) 73 pts
11 Lisa Panuschka & Jacqueline Muenks (GER) 74 pts
12 Till Kruger & Oliver Wichert (GER) 75 pts
13 Lara Vadlau & Rudi Weiss (GER) 76 pts
14 Sydney Bolger & Caitlin Beavers (USA) 78 pts
15 Karoline & Henrike Pepin () 79.33 pts
16 Judge Ryan & Chris Segerblom (USA) 83 pts
17 Griselda Khng & Cecilia Low (SIN) 84 pts
18 Steffen & Sven Heßberger (GER) 84 pts
19 Johanna Claus & Anna Bach (GER) 84 pts
20 Sangmin Lee & Hoyeop Tang (KOR) 85 pts
21 Viktor Holmgren & Calle Johansson Jr (SWE) 85 pts
22 Gabriel Bernard Skoczek & Thibaut Soler (FRA) 90 pts
23 Alexander Coyle & Jozsi Nemeth )ISV) 92 pys
24 Jordi Xammar & joan Herp (ESP) 94 pts
25 Dominik Buksak & Przemek Filipowicz (POL) 99 pts

Sparks & Gratton (GBR) a point ahead of the Autenrieths (GER) into final day at Kiel 

Lie & Cheng and Sparks & Gratton take early lead at Kiel 

Fredriksson & Thorwaldson win the Swedish JSM 2009 
Veronica Fredriksson & Josefine Thorwaldson triumphed at the Swedish JSM Champs in Vänersborg. Thanks to Tobias Andrén & Sofia Fredriksson they had some competition!! We understand that the Swedish 420 guys have headed off to Kieler Woche, but we hope to see the Fredrikssons & Co on the circuit soon. Bra segling! (....and do not say we do not report on 420 events, big or just a tad smaller!). Final Results and further news on the Event Website.

Winiszewski & Stachurski win at Chojnicki International sailing Week 
Thanks to Team Chkż, we have photos to add to the final report. Final Results and also see Chojnicki Sailing Club.

Winiszewski & Stachurski win at Chojnicki 
With nine races in the bag, Piotr Winiszewski & Alan Stachurski won the International Chojnicki Sailing Week by 3 points. Patryk Richter & Jakub Odymala were 2nd, while Jakub Surowiec & Aleksandra Sepiol (AZS AWFIS Gdansk) took the third podium place. Just a point behind, but with a bullet in the final race, Ewa Ilska & Marta Sadowska (SEKJ Pogon Szczecin) overtook Judyta Malinowski & Marta Bartoszczyk on the final day to take the women’s lead. Final Results and also see Chojnicki Sailing Club.

Winiszewski & Stachurski lead into final day at Chojnicki 
With a discard kicking in and six race completed, Piotr Winiszewski & Alan Stachurski (AZS – AWFIS Gdansk) have a 7 point lead into the final day at the International Chojnicki Sailing Week in Poland. Maciej Malag & Jan Walczak (Nauticus Olsztyn) are 2nd and Patryk Richter & Jakub Odymala (AZS – AWFIS Gdansk) 3rd on 20 points. Judyta Malinowski & Marta Bartoszczyk (Uks Barnim Goleniow) are 4th overall on 22 points and are the leading women. One more day’s racing ahead.

Khng & Low SIN Open and Women’s Champions 2009 

"flashier" Khng & Low hold lead into last day at Singapore Nationals 

Images from Singapore Nationals 
We are grateful, once again, to Ho Shu Fen, Marketing & Communications Executive at SingaporeSailing, for her photographs from the 429 National Championships. See the growing PhotoGallery

Khng & Low overtake Liu & Cheng after 9 races in Singapore, while Thais swop places too 

Thais challenge experienced Singaporeans on first day of racing at Singapore Nationals 

Ó Laoire & Malcolm Irish Connnaught Champions 2009 
This year’s Irish Connaught Championships were held in Galway Bay. During the event the Volvo Ocean Race Open 70s, arrived (on Saturday night) for a stop over (and locked the 420 rescue and mark laying RIBs into the harbour, requiring the Harbour Master and his staff to use the crane to enable Sunday racing to proceed – more big seas for Timmy Ó Laoire!). For full report and results, click above.

We have also recently posted large sets of images from the recent Munster Championship and ISA Youth Championships in the Photo Gallery

Deckers & Bos - new Dutch Youth Champs 
Max Deckers & Duko Bos (22 points) are the 2009 Dutch 420 Youth Champions. Dirk Bennen & Christiaan van Garderen were 2nd (25 pts) at Workum and Sanne Crum & Perry Gebuijs 3rd (33 pts). Rosita Bakker & Lana Keijer, the top women, were 4th overall (38 pts). urther information on Youth Regatta and Dutch 420 Class websites.

We found that the event’s newsletter carried a great photo of Sanne Crum & Perry Gebuis racing in some good 420 wind on the IJsselmeer off Workum on Sunday. It reads: ‘Perry Gebuis is euphoric today, because he and his crew [sic - but we were sure that Sanne was steering (Ed)] won the last race. “We didn’t have a good start, but managed to get free wind. We just paid a lot of attention to the wind shifts and our boat speed was superb”. Once they had taken the lead, they only had to defend it. Crew [? (ed)] Sanne Crum: “That’s much easier.”’ Meanwhile, ‘Liselotte Bulstra and Noor Kahmann thought they messed up the second race. “We capsized twice. Once, because we unexpectedly had to tack in a port, starboard situation. And later again because there was a sudden gust of wind when we rounded the jibe buoy. But we weren’t the only team swimming at that buoy”. During that race their main sail was torn in the top. “That’s a bummer, because it’s our best sail.” However, they still became 13th, and don’t seem too worried about the course of events. “We don’t think we’ll qualify for the ISAF Worlds, and we’re busy with our exams” [we know how you feel (ed)], ....and we like these newsletters!

See Final Results and Dutch Youths micro site

SAS pilot tackles meteorology for 420 coaches 

José Massapina reports from Roskilde on Saturday 

More news, and now photos, from the Coaches’ Clinic on Roskilde Fjord 

1st Scandinavian 420 Coaches Seminar underway at Roskilde 

Hong Kong International Open Dinghy Regatta 2009 

Asinathi Jim & Marlon Jones – three times RSA National Champs 

Asinathi Jim & Marlon Jones take the lead on the Zeekoe Vlei 

New Nautivelas arrive and the Ecuador 420 Class is born! 
Eduardo Vitari writes, “Very happy to report the arrival of the first five 420s in Ecuador. This is the seed of what we hope will be a large fleet. The boats were taken out of customs on April 24, and have arrived at the Salinas Yacht Club, where their permanent home will be. Salinas YC has justhosted the South American Optimist Championships - Campeonato Sudamericano IODA 2009.

Jacobs & Ovenstone lead at the South African Nationals 

«Les visages de CIMA 2009» 
We are delighted that Gilles Clément was busy with his camera on the water at this year’s Coupe Internationale Méditerranéenne de l’Amitié – ‘CIMA’, hosted by ASPTT Marseille. Several of Gilles’ images are on our Rolling Photos (for the time being!).

His full album can be viewed on his website, and high resolution images can be obtained from him - Send Email. Meanwhile, we have copies of his “Faces of CIMA 2009” on our PhotoGallery - «Les visages de CIMA 2009».

Peponnet & Lebrun win CIMA and Blandin & Leprunier are women’s champions 

Jim Saltonstall honoured by Yachting Journalists 
Jim Saltonstall continues to lead coaching seminars for 420 coaches worldwide and video clinics at the Junior Eoropeans each year - see you in Ballaton, Jim!

National Youth Champs 2009 crowned and ISAF Youth Worlds teams selected 
The new GBR 420 RYA Volvo Mational Youth Champions are Phil Sparks & David Gratton and Rebecca Kalderon & Rosie Sibthorp. Click here for Full Results.

The RYA Selectors have announced the GBR Team for the ISAF Youth Worlds in Búzios, Brasil, in July, see Press release. For other information, see GBR 420 and Event websites. If you liked the daily blogs, please Send Email to tell them to give them feedback!

Ó Laoire & Kelleher and Butler & Andreasson new IRL National Youth Champs 
Timmy Ó Laoire & Brian Kelleher (Howth & R St George YCs) today won the ISA Youth Nationals, with another three bullets to finish on 13 points, in Roaringwater Bay, Skull, West Cork. Rob Lehane & Iarlath Kennedy (R Cork YC) were 2nd on 21 points, Cian Ó Regan & Mark Boylan (KYC/Skerries) 3rd (29 pts) and Scott Flannigan & Luke Malcolm (Howth YC) 4th (34 pts). See Final Results and Event Website

The Women’s Champions are Jane Butler & Jenny Andreasson (R St George YC) were 5th overall (42 pts), overtaking Diana Kissane & Hazel O Neil (Howth YC) (46 pts) on the final day of the Championships.

GBR Youths blown out on Friday, but Irish carry on in Roaringwater Bat 
AP/A at Largs at 12.30 means GBR Youth Nationals are over at 12.30. But the Irish Youth race on in Roaringwater Bay, with the 420s having a race in the can on Friday morning. See ISA Youth Website and RYA Youths Website. Final confirmation of the outcomes of these two Championships may take a while!

"White horses, waves, wind!!" - last day at Largs.... 
Not good news from UK Youth Championships Friday’s Blog in Scotland (we await news from the Irish opposite the Fastnet). We hope the weather is fairer for the CIMA due to start today in Marseille!

‘Beastly Easterlies’ scupper day 4 at UK Youth Nationals 
Racing at the UK Youth Nationals and Trials at Largs in Scotland on Thursday had to be abandoned after hours of attempts. An amendment to Sailing Instructions provides for an additional race and an early start for last day.

Meanwhile, it is reported that Sarah Ayton, former National Youth Champion, former 420 sailor and twice Gold Olympic Medallist in the Yngling has been out on the water in her role as a Selector - Report. See also Event Website, running Results and Day 4 Report,

Ó Laoire & Kelleher score 2 bullets to pull ahead at Irish Youth Nationals 
Tough conditions in Roaringwater Bay for penultimate day of the ISA Youth Championships 2009. Diana Kissane & Hazel O Neil continue to lead the wemen.

1 Timmy Ó Laoire & Brian Kelleher (Howth & R St George YCs) 14 pts
2 Rob Lehane & Iarlath Kennedy (R Cork YC) 18 pts
3 Cian O Regan & Mark Boylan (KYC/Skerries) 25 pts
4 Scott Flannigan & Luke Malcolm (Howth YC) 29 pts
5 Diana Kissane & Hazel O Neil (Howth YC) 30 pts

It is time for the CIMA again! 
Sailors will be gathering in Marseilles for the 2009 Coupe Internationale Méditerranéenne de l’Amitié – at ASPTT Marseille from 17 – 20 April. We await to see this year’s entry, but there is always a large international interest to boost the start-line to well over 100 boats!

Further information may be found on Event Website and Uniqua France, the French 420 Class Association. We hope to be able to bring you news.

In the meantime, the French are half way through their Worlds/Junior Euros team selection. The first three ‘Interligue’ Regatta across France were held at the end of March; the second phase will be held in May.

Sparks & Gratton take commanding lead midway at GBR Youth Champs 
The RYA Volvo Youth Championships reached half way on Wednesday, Phil Sparks & Ben Gratton 9 points ahead of the field. Rebecca Kalderon & Rosie Sibthorp in a dual all week with Amy Seabright & Katrina Brewer took a 4-point lead tonight. This is the selection event for the GBR entries in the ISAF Youth Worlds, as well as an indicator for RYA Squad selection. See full Results and follow developments at the Event Website

Top 10 to Race 7:
1 Phil Sparks & Ben Gratton 6 points
2 Ben Palmer & Konrad Weaver 15pts
3 Matt Rainback & Simon Foskett 21pts
4 Rebecca Kalderon & Rosie Sibthorp 26pts
5 Tim Gratton & Ed Riley 30pts
6 Amy Seabright & Katrina Brewer 30pts
7 Mike Wood & Hugh Brayshaw 32pts
8 Imogen & Hermione Stanley 39pts
9 Sam Robinson & Peter Alton 40pts
10 Joanna Freeman & Hannah Marsden 45pts

Lehane & Kennedy and Ó Laoire & Kelleher in close contention at Irish Youth Championships 
Rob Lehane & Iarlath Kennedy and Timmy Ó Laoire & Brian Kelleher finished Day 3 (Wednesday) of the 5-day Irish (ISA) Youth Championships at the Fastnet International Outdoor Education & Marine Centre at Schull, West Cork on equal points. This event forms part of the Irish selection and qualification process for choosing teams for the ISAF Youth Worlds to be held in Brazil in July. In 3rd place at this mid stage, Diana Kissane & Hazel O Neil are leading the women, from Jane Butler & Jenny Andreasson.

Leaders:
Rob Lehane & Iarlath Kennedy (R Cork YC) 12 points
Timmy Ó Laoire & Brian Kelleher (Howth & R St George YCs) 12 pts
Diana Kissane & Hazel O Neil (Howth YC) 17 pts
Cian O Regan & Mark Boylan (KYC/Skerries) 19 pts
Jane Butler & Jenny Andreasson (R St George YC) 22 pts
Scott Flannigan & Luke Malcolm (Howth YC) 23 pts
Stephen Tiernan & Dermot McMorrough (R Cork YC/R St George YC) 24 pts

Rodriguez & Crespo and Massana & Lobo champion Spain! 
Nicolás Rodriguez & Sergio Crespo won the Campeonato de España and Carlota Massana & Ana Lobo are the Women’s Champions, for a second year! Jordi Xammar & Joan Herp are the Youth Champions and Bàrbara Cornudella & Sara López, the Women’s Youth Champs.

Open:
1 Nicolás Rodriguez & Sergio Crespo of Galicia (RCN Vigo/LC Villagarcia) (15 pts)
2 Jorge Martinez Doreste & Tomas Ugalde of Canarias (RCN Gran Canaria) (16 pts)
3 Jordi Xammar & Joan Herp of Cataluña (CN El Masnou) (17 pts)
4 David Omedes Requena & Carles Gallart Bargallo of Cataluña (CN Palamos & CN Prema) (20 pts)
Women
1 Carlota Masana & Ana Lobo Ramírez of Cataluña (Vilassar de Mar/CN Sevilla) (29 pts)
2 Barbara Cornudella & Sara Lopez of Cataluña (CB El Balis) (49 pts)
3 Elia Borrego & Nora Brugman of Comunidad Valenciana (RCN Valencia’CV Blanes) (51 pts)
4 Ana Coll Revuelta & Marina Bonet of the Baleares (S’ Arenal) (51 pts)

Omedes & Gallart and Masana & Lobo lead at Spanish Nationals 
David Omedes & Carles Gallart have taken the early lead at the Campeonato de España at the Club Náutico El Balís, near Barcelona.
Carlota Masana & Ana Lobo last year's Women’s Champions, are leading the women. These two teams led the Spanish at last year’s World Championships in Athens, so they are definitely ones to watch! There are two more days of racing.

Leaders:
1 David Omedes Requena & Carles Gallart Bargallo of Cataluña (CN Palamos & CN Prema) (4 pts)
2 Jorge Martinez Doreste & Tomas Ugalde of the Canarias (RCN Gran Canaria) (7 pts)
3 Jori Xammar & Joan Herp of Cataluña (CN El Masnou) (8 pts)
4 David Gestos & Isaac Arce of Galicia (LC Vilagarcia) (9 pts)

1 Carlota Masana & Ana Lobo Ramírez of Cataluña (Vilassar de Mar/CN Sevilla) (23 pts)
2 Maria Amat & Marta Martinez of Cataluña (CB El Balis) (26 pts)
3 Barbara Cornudella & Sara Lopez of Cataluña (CB El Balis) (33 pts)
4 Andrea Cornudella & Clara Dolz of Cataluña (CB El Balis) (33 pts)

ISAF Boats Special Offer 

25 years of ‘Sailing for Ostend’ 
We have been reminded that on line entry is now available, with a discount on entry fee for entries before 25th April, for this 25th anniversary celebration of Sailing for Oostende. For further information and the Notice of Race, click here.

Coyle & Nemeth win first Caribbean Regatta 
We reported a few weeks ago the arrival of five beautiful new 420s in the Caribbean Islands of US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Well, we had heard that the Virgin Islanders have been out training hard with their coach, Agustin ‘Argy’ Resano - recently back from the 420 Coaches’ Clinic at Long Beach, California with our Jim Saltonstall – but now there is news of the first 420 Caribbean Regatta. This was held at the Culebra International Regatta (Culebra is an island in Puerto Rico). But the USVIs are going to have to watch out when Raúl Rios & Antonio Sifre and their mates in Puerto Rico get fully motoring! – Raúl is the reigning IODA World Champion!

1 Alex Coyle & Jozni Nemeth (ISV)
2 Olin Davis & Ian Coyle (ISV)
3 Raúl Rios & Antonio Sifre (PUR)
4 Ramon Gonzalez & Jose Nigaglioni (PUR)

We are gathering all the info. we can on these Caribbean guys and will pass on more in due course. Rumour has it that the USVIs will be doing the European circuit this summer, while Raúl & Antonio have booked their passage to Búzios, Brazil for the ISAFs. Sounds like we have two new, enthusiastic fleets! By the way, a third boat was delivered to USVI, but the female helm is currently searching for a crew….any volunteers?!

Denise Lim & Sara Tan win Singapore Youths and Malaysian 420 takes podium place 
Denise Lim Ke Xin & Sara Tan Li Ching teamed up for the Singapore Youth Championships to represent their school, Victoria Junior College, as part of their preparation for the forthcoming Inter-Schools Regatta. With an impressive line-up of bullets on their scoresheet, they could relax for the last day, when Rachel Lee Qing & Leong Wei Ming took the Silver. The Malaysian team of Zamri Bin Azlan & Moh Hafizzudin, who had scored a first in race 2, were third overall to take the Bronze step on the podium. Preparations are evidently in hand for the Asian Youth Games 2009 that is to be held in Singapore from 26 June to 6 July. For the Singapore Youths’ results take a look at the SingaporeSailingwebsite and for a report on the Youth Championships generally, see ISAF.

Junior European NOR 
The Notice of Race for the Junior European Championships, to be held at Balatonfured, Hungary, has been published on the event calendar.

South American Championships 2009 
We have just had confirmation that this year's South American 420 Championships will be held immediately after the ISAF World Youth Championships in Brazil. The event will be between 19 and 24 July, allowing time for participants to travel to Garda for the World Championships. More information is anticipated and will be posted on Racing > Event Calendar.

New World Championship Titles 
The Notice of Race for the World Championships, to be held at Lake Garda has now been published. Two new titles will be awarded at this event - International 420 Class Junior World Champion and International 420 Class Junior Ladies World Champion

Meloni & Gemini lead at Pietra Bianca 
Italy is busy selecting its 2009 Teams. The second of their Regate Nazionale was held at CV Pietrabianca last weekend. Giovanni Meloni & Alessandro Gemini took the regatta from Davide Ortelli & Leonardo Zaggia and Federico Maria Maccari & Rocco Vitali. Christina Celli & Silvia Morini led the women (in 6th overall), a point ahead of Junior European Women’s Champions, Camilla Marino & Claudia Soricelli.

We caught up with Ricardo de Felice, the CV Senigallia coach who reports that the regatta was held in light winds, with the currents having an impact on the racing.

1 Giovanni Meloni & Alessandro Gemini (YC Cagliari) (6 pts)
2 Davide Ortelli & Leonardo Zaggia (CV Bellano) (8 pts)
3 Federico Maria Maccari & Rocco Vitali (CV Bellano) (8 pts)
4 Davide Vignone & Matteo Ramian (CN Albenga) (14 pts)
5 Francesco Falcetelli & Gabriele Franciolini (CN Senigallia) (27 pts)
6 Christina Celli & Silvia Morini (CV Ravennate) (28 pts)
7 Camilla Marino & Claudia Soricelli (Circolo Italia) (29 pts)
8 Paolo Virgenti & Luca Silviola (CV Gargnano) (29 pts)

Final Results. We await details of the impact on the rankings, which will be shown on the Italian Class website, but there are three more regatta to go!

Snow-Hansen & Saunders NZL Champs again; Maloney & Barbarich-Bacher Women’s Champs 
Paul Snow-Hansen & Jason Saunders have, decisively, held their title of National Champions in New Zealand for a second year. In 2nd were Francisco Lardies & Finn Drummond at the Championships held at Napier Sailing Club. Alexandra Maloney & Bianca Barbarich-Bacher won the Women’s title, being first Women’s Youth boat and 3rd overall on countback. Logan Dunning-Beck & Ben Goodwin were the first Men's Youth boat in 4th and veterans Simon Cooke & Scott Illingworth were 5th.

1 Paul Snow-Hansen & Jason Saunders (18 pts)
2 Francisco Lardies & Finn Drummond (30 pts)
3 Alexandra Maloney & Bianca Barbarich-Bacher (31 pts)
4 Logan Dunning-Beck & Ben Goodwin (31 pts)
5 Simon Cooke & Scott Illingworth (35 pts)
6 James Turner & Marcus Hansen (44 pts)
7 Luke Stevenson & Sam Bullock (56 pts)
8 Brittany Wornall & Emma Goodwin (73 pts)
9 Jane Butler & Jenny Andreasson (IRL) (79 pts)
10 Sarah & Emma Berry (81 pts)

Click here for Final Results and NZL Class Association Reports. Excellent coverage also on the Napier SC website. As always, the NZL Class Association website has very full coverage.

Snow-Hansen lead Open and Maloney & Barbarich-Bacher lead Youths into final day at NZL Nationals 

US International 420 Class Association announces World Championship Sailing Team 2009 

420s en route to create new fleet in Perú! 

420s arrive in US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico 

Haddad & Castro win Campeonato Brasileiro 2009 and Grael & Adler are Campeões das Senhoras 
see story attached

Arenal Training Camps Regatta 
The Notice of Race for the Arenal Training Camps Regatta, to be held in Palma, Mallorca from 16th to 21st March 2009, has been posted on the event calendar.

Gilmour & Omay and Thredgold & Soulsby triumph at Australian Youth Championships 

Newly-launched US Sailing Team includes six 420s 

Excitement builds into the final day at Aussie Youths – No pressure! 

No change at the top, but some close scoring at Mandurah on Day 2 

Gilmour & Omay take early lead at Aus Youths; Negri & Vos head the Women 

Australian Youth Championships - Photos and Event Website 

Australia’s Youth Championships gets underway 

The Straits Times of Singapore follows the progress of SINs 420 sailors in Australia 

Xanmar & Herp (Cataluña) win at Blanes, with Stanleys (GBR) 2nd and 1st women 

Xanmar & Herp take up the lead at Blanes 

Alfred Farré has been busy with his camera on and off the water at Blanes 

Skoczek & Soler lead an early French assault on the Gran Prix at Blanes 

Blanes Grand Prix 2009 delayed - well, the boats are there! 

Gilmour & Omay, Australian National Champs Kivell & Gurr, Women’s Champs Liu & Sherman and Khng & Low win the Opens for SIN 

Close battle: Khng/Low vs Kivell/Gurr at AUS Women’s Open Nats 

SINs see the New Year in leading at Perth 

Liu & Cheng extend their lead after five races at Perth 

Liu & Cheng take early lead after two races at Perth 

Grez & Vergara es Campeones chilenos, con los Gumucios, Campeones de las Mujeres 
We attach a news report from the Chile National Championships - in English!

Australian Nationals get underway at Perth, with Team Singapore providing an international flavour 

ISAF catches up with 420 coaching development news from Asia 

ISAF publish 2009 Youth Worlds NoR 

Wetzl & Parladori (ITA) take Imperia Women’s by storm, Sparks & Gratton (GBR) with the Open Regatta 

Long Day 2 at Imperia 

1st North/Central American and Caribbean Coaches' Seminar – underway in LA with Jim Saltonstall 

Held in Harbour at IWR 

120 420s en route to Imperia 

"Asian 420 coaches get to work with Singapore’s 420 sailors and Jim Saltonstall" 
Our report on the 1st Asian and Oceania 420 Coaches’ Seminar

Singapore’s youth stars give the coaches the runaround 

Ferreting in Singapore…..we have photographic evidence 

1st Asia and Oceania 420 Coaches’ Seminar gets underway in Singapore 

Nino Shmueli elected 1st Vice President of the 470 Class 

Santi & David Mas win the Andorra 2008 
...we also feature a future 420 champion (hopefully), Pablo Mas. Felicitaciones ! Vientos buenos!

Volker & Martinez are Argentine National Champions 2008 

All good for the final day 
Our special correspondent at CN Olivos reports that they have two races in the bag and one to go.

Campeonato Argentino - down to the last day! 

Campeonato Argentino resumes this weekend 
We have the results so far from the Club Náutico Olivos (click above).

Volker & Martinez take initial lead over Sucari & Renna at the Olivos 

420 racing on the agenda through to the New Year 
We have details of the following forthcoming events on our Calendar:

4 – 7 December Imperia Winter Regatta, Liguria, Italy:

27 December - 3 January: Australian Nationals at Royal Perth YC, Western Australia

2 - 5 January, Intl Grand Prix Vila de Blanes at CV Blanes, Catalunya, Spain:

Will you be there?
If your event is not here, please telll us by clicking on Send News / Photos.

Photos from Maubuisson 

Peponnet & Lebrun triumph at Maubuisson 

Tight at the top into last day of competition at Maubuisson 

French 420 National d'automne 2008 

Grez & Vergara triumph at Semana de Buenos Aires 

Close battle at the top continues in Buenos Aires 

Grez & Vergara put Sucari & Renna under pressure at the Semana de Buenos Aires 

420 Coaches Seminars 
Two new coaches' clinics have been organised in the United States and Singapore. The lead coach will be Jim Saltonstall. For further information follow the link. Full details have been posted on the event calendar in the racing section of the web site.

Baranzini & Colombo of Lugano win Swiss Championships 

Ice Hockey replaces sailing on Friday at Swiss Nationals 

Schneider & Züger lead on day 1 at Swiss Nationals 

Marino & Soricelli win ITA Women's Nationals 

New Year racing in Catalonia (Spain)? - Grand Prix Vila de Blanes 

CLI-CA /Regatta 08 goes to Palma 

Racing Rules of Sailing 2009-2012 published online 
The new Rules come into effect on 1 January, 2009. Available on-line now from ISAF (click above). Be one step ahead!

Worlds 2009 Preliminary NOR 
The Preliminary Notice of Race for the World Championships 2009, to be held on Lake Garda, has been published on the event page of the web site

Ó Laoire & Kelleher are Irish National Champions 2008 

Falcetelli & Franciolini top guys; Marino & Soricelli top girls (and 2nd overall!) in Italy for 2008 

Garbay & Javal and de Cherry & Bouillerce are French ‘Hopes’ 2008 

Maccari & Vitali head fleet at Crotone; Marino & Soricelli lead the women 

Windless in Brest.....so no sailing for the 'Espoirs' today 

Racco & Spagnolo lead; Wetzl & Parladori / Marino & Soricelli rivalry in full swing at Italian Nationals 

Photographs from the 2008 Junior European Championships in Zadar 

Photographs from the 2008 World Championships in Athens 

One race in “difficult” conditions at the French "Espoirs" on Tuesday 
Agathe de Cherry & Julien Bouillerce hold the women’s lead tonight after only one race today at Brest. A weak wind of 7 to 8 knots provided difficult racing, requiring much concentration and testing the technical skills of the sailors. Claire Berthez of SR Rochelaises & Jade Festino of YC Villeneuve L. moved into 2nd overall. Maude Caton & Elora Paris of CV Panthier led today’s trace to pull themselves into the top ten.

Maxime Garbay & Achille Javal are building up a lead with some consistent racing opn 8 points. Vincent Geniteau of CV St Quentin & Zoe Poncelet of VGA St Maur Voile scored a 1st in today’s race to bring them up to 2nd overall on 20 pts. Paul Rossi & Marc Mallaret of YC Mauglio-Carnon are in 3rd on 21 pts.

Two races in the bag at Brest 
Agathe de Cherry & Marion Bouillerce of SR Rochelaises lead the women after a 2, 1 in the first two races, with Clara & Lucie Scheiwiller of SN Enghien in 2nd on 8 points. Four teams ended the first day on 10 points a piece: Cassandre Blandin & Marion Leprunier, Marina Laulanet & Gwenaelle Caron , Claire Nerthez & Jade Festino and Perrine Geniteau & Marion Aumont.

Nemo Moinet of CN La Tremblade & Julien Lebrun of ASPTT La Rochelle, with 1, 2, lead into day 2, with Maxime Garbay & Achille Javal 2nd on 6 points and Gabriel Scoczek & Thibaut Soler 3rd on 9 pts, both teams from YC Maugio Carnon. Vianney Guilbaud & Jeremie Mion and Kevin Peponnet & Loic Duchesne Ferch are 4th and 5th respectively, both on 10 pts.

Campionato Nazionale di Italia 
Italy’s Campionato Nazionale is this week in Crotone, in the south of Italy.

Championnat de France Espoirs 
Racing at the youth championships of theFrench Fédération Française de Voile gets underway at l’USAM Voile in Brest from Monday 25 to Friday 29 August. Click header to access the event website.

Sparks & Gratton: GBR National Champions 2008 
Phil Sparks & Ben Gratton have won the British National Championships at Clwb Hwylio Pwllheli Sailing Club in Wales. Ben Saxton (just back from Silver at Zadar) and Claire Lasko (ISAF Youth Gold crew at Aarhus) were second and James Rusden (Bronze at Zadar) reunited with brother Will (2007 National Champions) were third. Jordan Factor & Charles Peck (USA) were 12th in the fleet of 60. Rebecca Kalderon and Rosie Sibthorp are the new Women’s Champions.

'Greece claims Gold and Italy’s women are first Ladies' 
Final Report from Zadar

Some ups and downs on penultimate day at Zadar, but the leaders hold position 

Equipment used at 2008 Junior European Championships 2008 
The equipment schedule issued by the Chief Measurer following the Junior European Championships has been posted on the Class' Technical page.

Last day's sailing at Zadar: wind building 
The Southerly wind is forecast to build during the day - it is already 13 knots - and the Delta flag went up at 11.05. A medal race in front of the old City for the 470s, and the 420s back on the course off Puntamika, so a little run down for the guys. Tonight - to follow the excitement of the Opening Ceremony - we are promised another storm, concentrated up North in the mountains....but you never know!

Greek team back in the driving seat at Zadar, while GBR women find their form in the Silver Fleet 

420 Measurers 
An updtaed list of 420 International, National and Sail Measurers has been posted on the Technical Committee page of the web site.

Marino & Soricelli (ITA) storm through for the Ladies’, while Saxton & de Boltz and Rusden & Williams set a GBR pace on first Finals day 

Finals start in earnest 
Following completion of the qualifiers, determination of the Gold and Silver fleets and the lay day, the boats and Race Committee are out preparing for the first race of the Final Series. With the Bura gone and a new wind, from the South, today (drawn by the low pressure north of us), there will be different conditions from the qualifying series. The wind speed was around 10 knots at the time of launch, but all will depend upon whether the heat this afternoon overcomes the southerly wind, or if a westerly from over the islands comes in to conflict with it. We hope that the south wind will prevail!

Meanwhile, on-line progress information continues on the Event website - click above.

British & Greeks crowd the Italians at the top in the Qualifying Series 

Championships get underway with maritime & natural spectacular 

Qualifiers - Day 1 - Provisional Results 
There were some difficulties with publication of the results, including the third race, on the first evening - related to boat identification and other things - but these have now been resolved. The provisional results have been posted on site and are available here (click above). They will normally appear quickest on the Event Website in future.

A first day of Qualifiers completed, with three races for each group 
For up-to-date news of the races you will be watching the Event website, run by the USKOK Press Centre Team. The race results whould appear there first. We are awaiting the Provisional Results for the first three races (as at 19.00 local time).

Meanwhile, three super photographers are out on the water: Vladimir Ivanov, the Official Event Photographer, Josip Knežević and Seán Ó Laoireand. We will be posting their images on the Photo Gallery as soon as we can - it takes a little time - so more may come. Keep chacking!

Magnificent show for Opening Ceremony – including natural light(en)ing 
Club JK USKOK laid on an awesome (on water) opening ceremony, at the Old City of Zadar last night. Even without the weather, this would have been a most impressively planned and organised occasion, but we had a spectacular and lengthy electric storm as well! The sailors, coaches and supporters, as well as all the race officials, embarked on two ships, to a beautiful sunset, and were conveyed across the sound to the Riva, the sea promenade of the old City. Here, looking out over the Zadar Channel, to the north side of the Ugljan Island, at the place of the famous Sea Organ and the “Greeting of the Sun”, created by the same architect, Nikola Bašić, an on-the-water spectacular took place. On arrival at the landing stage, many of the sailors were very keen to have their pictures taken with the drum majorettes who were waiting to welcome them.

With the 19th Century sailing boat, “Branimir” that traded between Dalmatia and Italy, as the centre piece, the Croatian singer, Ivank Radovniković and the Zadar Dancing Troupe (conveyed gracefully by a oarsman, like mermaids, to and fro) entertained the audience, and local Optimist and 420 sailors provided suitable authentication for a sailing championships! Meanwhile, there was weather brewing! The cracks of thunder grew steadily louder and, in the dark, across the outline of the Ugljan Island, a terrific electric storm unfolded. Usually strong, but brief affairs, this storm was over a wide front and continued to develop around us – over the hills, well after the sailors were home (and dry!).

With this dramatic backcloth, the flags of the twenty-eight countries were driven in RIBs at high speed into the arena, and the standard bearers disembarked, proudly to place their flags on the stand, followed by short welcoming speeches. In fact, as rain and wind briefly came in, the proceedings had to be shortened somewhat, but the absence of man-made fireworks did not dampen the excitement. This was an evening that will be long remembered.

"Croatia is a great sailing arena" 
....announced Carl Johannisen, as he and his brother (SWE) came off after the Practice Race. "Good sailing conditions this afternoon, not too many shifts", confirmed Wilhelm from up front (a bit of a change from the Worlds last week, we think he mnay have meant!). The practice races for 420 and 470 proceeded this afternoon after a short electrical storm (which the PRO had predicted at the morning briefing) had come through well before the boats set off into a better breeze than this morning.

Day 2 dawns in Zadar 
....day 2 of Measurement, with the prospect of the Practice Race for the sailors and a boat trip to the Old City to meet the Mayor for the chosen few (those lucky ones delegated by the Coaches and Team Managers to dress up for the occasion in this humidity!) and, tonight, the Opening Ceremony (also in the Old City). We await a forecast, but maybe a tad more breeze in evidence this morning.

The most up-to-date news should appear on the Event Website .

Meanwhile, the odd photo will get posted on the Photo News. The [Photo Gallery will get underway more when the racing starts, but we are already getting some batches of images in there from Official Photographer, Vladimir Ivanov.

Junior Europeans getting underway in Zadar 
You should find the latest news on the event website (click above), both results and running news - they were adding news yesterday (when the Measurement Team had their "practice race"), but the on-the-spot Press Team (mostly high powered ecionomists from the Uni of Zagreb, it seems) had a small glitch with the login today; hopefully, all back to normal soon. We will add odd bits here on the I420 site, together with the ISAF reports (which appear on the morning after each day's racing). Measurement is in full swing today, with lines of 420s and 470s passing tghrough the two large hangars. There is a buzz around the place, and, for those in a good vantage point in the shade (much supporter coffee drinking outside the Club Restaurant!), a great spectacle on the water, with the occasional ferry passing across the sail area on route to the port, behind the Old City, but mainly many of the 420 and 470 teams out training. If sending "food parcels" to deprived sailors in Zadar, please include sun tan cream!. An interesting notice appreaded on the board this morning telling sailors that they should attend the press office at midday for the "shootout"; we are assured that this was for a photo shoot! Otherwise, everything very friendly and relaxed.

420s gather in hot Zadar for Junior Europeans 
...ckick above for Event Website

"Double Victory for Greece at 420 World Championships" 

420 World Champions: Mileos & Mitakis and Katerina & Sofia Kaitatzidou of Greece 
International 420 World Champions 2008: Michalis Mileos & Evangelos-Vasileio Mitakis (GRE)

International 420 Ladies’ World Champions 2008: Katerina & Sofia Kaitatzidou (GRE)

William Sanchez Trophy (for highest placed boat aged 16 or under) – Worlds: Vasilis Papoutsoglou & Akilas Drougas (GRE)

William Sanchez Trophy (for highest placed boat aged 16 or under) – Ladies’ Worlds: Alexandra Maloney & Bianca Barbarich-Bacher (NZL)

Huck Scott Memorial Trophy – the youngest team in both Championships: Denise Vassi & Tzenni Smirli (ISR)

John Merricks Trophy (highest placed team 18 years less) - Worlds: Vasilis Papoutsoglou & Akilas Drougas (GRE)

John Merricks Trophy (highest placed team 18 years less): Gil Cohen & Adva Kremer (ISR)

420 Worlds - Final Results published 
Click for the Final Results: Worlds - Gold, Worlds - Silver, Ladies’ Worlds - Gold, and Ladies’ Worlds - Silver

World Championships concluded! 
With the Meltemi very strong this morning, the racing was postponed. For example, at 12.42 the average (steady) windspeed was 28 knots, but with gusts of 42 km. Shortly before 15.00, the racing for the day was finally cancelled.

The results are showing on the Event Website. We will bring you many, many more images on the Photo Gallery here and other information in due course. For now, everyone is busy! The Prizegiving is tonight at 20.30.

Equipment List - 2008 World Championships 

The Meltemi kicks in on Day 3 of 420 Worlds final series 

Consistency the key on another challenging day in the winds of the Gulf of Saronica on Day 2 of 420 Worlds final series 

Un rendez-vous avec Gérard: le français ensemble. 
....and now we have a special Photo Gallery from the French team. Who next? [S'il vous plaît, me pardonner pour mon français pauvre ! (Ed)]

Greece and Italy lead on Day 1 of 420 Worlds Final Series, but a high standard of sailing seen in the Gold Fleets 

More hard racing to complete qualifying rounds in Athens 
Qualifiers Day 2 Report to ISAF

Junior European Championship SIs Posted 
The sailing instructions for the Junior European Championships in Zadar have now been posted on the racing section of the web site

Challenging conditions for first day’s racing in Athens 
Qualifiers Day 1 Report to ISAF

Germany & Italy lead the fleets after the first day’s racing in Athens 
The 420 World Championships started today (Friday) with the first of two days of qualifying races.

In the Women’s, with 2, 2, 7 placings in the three races of the day, Imke Brockerhoff & Annika Stork of Germany have a 2-point lead over Brazilians, Martine Soffiati Grael & Daniela Adler Pimentel Duarte with their 6, 1, 6 line-up. Sara Anendola & Giulia Paolillo of Italy took 7, 4, 4 to lie in 3rd into Day 2.

1 Imke Brockerhoff & Annika Stork (GER) 11 points
2 Martine Soffiati Grael & Daniela Adler Pimentel Duarte (BRA) 13pts
3 Sara Anendola & Giulia Paolillo (ITA) 15pts
4 Gil Cohen & Avdel Kremer (ISR) 18pts
5 Cristina Cellis & Silvia Morini (ITA) 19pts
6 Afroditi Kiranakou & Eleni Nikiforidou (GRE) 21pts
7 Tav Shani & Tslil Ben-Horin (ISR) 21pts
8 Lisa Panuschka & Jacqueline Münks (GER) 22pts
9 Federica Wetzl & Marta Parladori (ITA) 22pts
10 Stanley & Kate Macgregor (GBR) 27pts

In the Open Fleet, reigning European Champions, Edoardo Mancinelli Scotti & Lorenzo de Felice, with 2, 3, 7, are leading the pack. Paul Snow-Hansen & Ben Goodwin, having just given a strong performance at the ISAF Youth Worlds in the 29er, are back in the 420 and, following a 12th in race 1, took bullets in the two remaining races today, to go into the second day of Qualifying races in 2nd place. Vasilis Papoutsoglou & Akilas Drougas of Greece are in 3rd overall, with a 6, 7, 3 scorecard.

1 Edoardo Mancinelli Scotti & Lorenzo de Felice (ITA) 12 points
2 Paul Snow-Hansen & Ben Goodwin (NZL) 14pts
3 Vasilis Papoutsoglou & Akilas Drougas (GRE) 16pts
4 Ben Saxton & David de Boltz (GBR) 17pts
5 Francisco Sucari & Francisco Renna (ARG) 20pts
6 Ferdinand Gerz & Tobias Bolduan (GER) 23pts
7 David Omedes Requena & Carles Gallart Bargallo (ESP) 24pts
8 James Rusden & Joe Williams (GBR) 30pts
9 Micalis Stavrou & Giannis Orfanos (GRE) 32pts
10 Michalis Mileos & Evangelos-Vasileios Mitakis (GRE) 32pts

They rock & roll at last! 
After several attempts to get the first races off in the two qualifyers in paired flights on each course (Ladies' and Open), the first set of races are all completed. You can follow the action, with constant commentary on progress on the Event website (click above).

Meanwhile, Chile and GBR lead the two Open qualifiers and Spain & Israel take the early lead for the Women.

Record 420 entry prepare to race in Athens 
A record number of 420 teams have arrived in Athens for the 2008 World and Ladies World Championships. The event is being held in the waters of Faliro Bay in the Saronic Gulf. It is based at the Faliro Olympic 2004 Coastal Zone Complex, the home of the host club, the Nautical Club of Tzitzifies-Kallithea (NOTK),

Speaking after the Opening Ceremony, 420 Class President, Nino Shmueli, said, “We are very proud to have teams from five continents at this World Championships – 178 boats (of which 77 are entered for the Ladies Championship). This is a record participation, including several countries that have not recently, or ever, been previously represented. This gives us a positive impression that we are moving in the right direction. I am looking forward to an excellent championship”.

ISAF Report following the Opening Ceremony attached.

Photos from Athens 
You will see that we use "Photo News" for any random pics we get around the event. Not too serious!

For larger numbers of photos - from the sailing and ceremonies etc. - we are using the Photo Gallery.

The Official Event Photographer is Dimitris Koumaras of www.sailingphoto.gr. Some of his photos will be featured on the Class Website (Gallery), but will also be posted on the Event Website. The Class also will have access to our own photographer and, perhaps, other supporters', although access to the race area is, of course, closely limited. Today, Dimitris has supplied some images from last night's opening ceremony.

Austrian Treasurer seeks confirmation of her investment 
Lisbeth Diem was in touch from Austria. She needed to know that all was well with her guys. We feature (Rolling Photos today; then Photo News) photographic evidence that all are smiling (and seem to get on well with the Swiss....in the boatpark anyway!).

We would like to hear from you (just click on “Submit News & Photos” or Send Email).

Advice to Teams Travelling to Zadar 
The attached advice has been received from Uskok Sailing club regarding teams travelling to Zada

Is anyone there? Please be in touch 
We know that there will be Worlds supporters watching. We would like to hear from you (just click on “Submit News & Photos” or Send Email). It is good to know if anyone is watching! But also, if we can pass on the news and information from Athens that you want, we will try – just tell us!

Meanwhile, we are getting some photos through. See Photo News

Athens 2008 – we’re here! 
More to follow soon.

Jim Saltonstall – 420 Coach Extraordinaire – honoured by ISAF 
420 sailors for generations have known Jim. In recent years, as well as running clinics at the ISAF Youths, Jim has been a frequent contributor to 420 International Championships, most recently at the 2007 Junior Europeans at Medemblik (if you were there, you will remember an intense discussion, using video, with Sherman Cheng (SIN), the eventual winning crew - see photo). Many sailors will know that Jim has been the leader of the 420 Class Coaching Seminars which we have been holding for 420 coaches worldwide – most recently in Rio de Janeiro last November (watch this space!). If you have not been one of Jim’s “ferrets” on the water, you will probably have read his books – which have strongly featured the 420.

So we are delighted that ISAF yesterday honoured Jim at his 30th ISAF Youth Worlds (click above for ISAF News).

420 sailors win four medals at ISAFs, even without 420s! 
Frances Peters & Claire Lasko and James Peters won Golds in the 29ers and Judge Ryan (USA) and James Ellis (GBR) (former 420 Junior Euros Bronze medallist) won Bronzes in the 29er and the Multihull respectively at the ISAF World Youth Championships at Aarhus, Denmark.

Other well-known 420 sailors we found on the water were: in the women’s: Alexandra Maloney & Bianca Barbarich-Bacher 4th (2008 NZL Women’s 420 Champions), Martine Sofiate Grael & Daniela Adler Pimental Duarte (BRA) 7th (Daniela is the 2008 South American 420 Women’s Champion), Griselda Khng & Cecilia Low Rui Qi (SIN) 9th, Alyson Rumball & Niamh O’Connell (IRL) 12th, Fanny Lumeau & Erell Ranou (FRA) 14th; and among the men: Paul Snow-Hansen & Ben Goodwin (NZL) 4th, (2008 NZL 420 National Champions), Taariq Jacobs & Neil Malan (RSA) 7th, Ed Butler & Daniel McCarthy (IRL) 13th, Justin Liu & Sherman Cheng (SIN) 15th (last year’s open winners at the 420 Junior Euros at Medemblik, as well as reigning Asian & SEA Games 420 Champions), Final results: Double Hander - Women, Double Hander - Men and Multihull.

But maybe you recognise more 420 sailors at Aarhus - let us know! Meanwhile, at least nine of the above are signed up for the 420 Worlds in Athens at the next week. Good luck to all our (multi-skilled) sailors!

Meanwhile, which 420 sailors will be in Armação de Búzios, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 2009, in 420s (or in any other boat, for that matter)?!

Skoczek & Soler win French Cup 
Bernard Skoczek & Thibaut Soler won YC Maugio Carnon the ten race series at the French Coupe Nationale at CN Ile-Tudy, near Quimper, Finistère (south east of Brest). With a 78 competitor field (the proximity of the Athens Worlds reduced the usual international interest this year, though the Scots team of Peter Irwin & David Kohler made the journey and achieved an 11th overall), Skoczek & Soler won with a convincing 11 point lead. Les Rochelaises, Kevin Peponnet & Loic Duchesne Ferchal were 2nd and Nemo Moinet & Julien Lebrun of CN La Tremblade / ASPTT La Rochelle 3rd. Cassandre Blandin & Marion Leprunier were the leading women, with Cecile Gutierrez & Jade Festino 2nd and Dorothea Aumont & Sophie Fremont 3rd. See you guys again in Brittany at the 2009 Coupe Nationale! Meanwhile, into action at the Worlds! Bonne Chance

1 Bernard Skoczek & Thibaut Soler (YC Maugio Carnon) 35 points
2 Kevin Peponnet & Loic Duchesne Ferchal (SR Rochelaises) 46pts
3 Nemo Moinet & Julien Lebrun (CN La Tremblade / ASPTT La Rochelle) 59 pts
4 Sebastien Simon & Avmeric Paruit (SNO Nantes) 64 pts
5 Vincent Geniteau & Zoe Poncelet (CV St Quentin / VGA St Maur Voile) 70 pts
6 Guillaume Lecointre & Cedric Mary (CV St Quentin) 70 pts
7 Cassandre Blandin & Marion Leprunier (SNO Nantes / NDCV Angers) 77 pts
14 Cecile Gutierrez & Jade Festino (CN Antibes / YC Villeneuve L)
15 Dorothea Aumont & Sophie Fremont (CV St Quentin)

Final day at the ISAFs tomorrow and 420 sailors poised! 
With fourteen races completed in the 29ers at Århus, the ISAFs moved into the final day with 420 sailors on top in both the girls & boys! Having dropped to 2nd last night, James Peters (GBR) is back there, after USA 420 helm Judge Ryan had problems in the last two races, and with ten points in hand. Paul Snow-Hansen & Ben Goodwin (NZL) (2008 NZL 420 National Champions) are 4th and Taariq Jacobs & Neil Malan (RSA), pioneer 420 sailors in South Africa, are 7th.

Although on top all week, James sister, Frances Peters and Claire Lasko (GBR), both experienced 420 helms, have been challenged along the way by the NED girls and have just a 4-point lead into the last day. Alexandra Maloney & Bianca Barbarich-Bacher (2008 NZL Women’s 420 Champions) are in 5th and Martine Sofiate Grael & Daniela Adler Pimental Duarte (BRA) (Daniela is the 2008 South American 420 Women’s Champion) are 8th,

Meanwhile, James Ellis, bronze helm at the 420 Junior Euros 2006, pulled up to 3rd yesterday and is hanging in there, in spite of discarding the last race, and has 4 points either side.

Pre-Worlds Training Camp 
The sailing instructions for the Pre-Worlds training have now been posted.

420 sailors take early lead at the ISAFs, in 29ers 
Experienced 420 helms, Frances Peters and Claire Lasko (GBR) lead in the women’s double-hander at Aarhus, Denmark in the ISAF World Youth Championships; Frances’ brother, James, also a former 420 sailor, is helming the leading men’s boat.

There is a galaxy of 420 talent in the line-up, Alexandra Maloney & Bianca Barbarich-Bacher (2008 NZL Women’s 420 Champions), Martine Sofiate Grael & Daniela Adler Pimental Duarte (BRA) (Daniela is the 2008 South American 420 Women’s Champion), Alyson Rumball & Niamh O’Connell (IRL), Fanny Lumeau & Erell Ranou (FRA), Judge Ryan (USA), Paul Snow-Hansen & Ben Goodwin (NZL) (2008 NZL 420 National Champions), Taariq Jacobs & Neil Malan (RSA), Ed Butler & Daniel McCarthy (IRL), Justin Liu & Sherman Cheng (2007 open winners at 420 Junior Euros, as well as reigning Asian & SEA Games 420 Champions), And 420 Junior Euro Bronze medallist at Tavira 2006, James Ellis (GBR), is running 3rd in the multi-hull class.

Maybe you see more 420 sailors at Aarhus - let us know! Meanwhile, at least 9 of the above are entered for the 420 Worlds in Athens next week. Good luck to all our (multi-skilled) sailors!

The ISAF report says: 'The Brazilian Girl’s 29er duo of Martine Grael and Daniela Adler climbed four places up the overall leaderboard to seventh after scores of 3, 4, 5 today. “We’ve been sailing 29ers for three months and today was only the fourth day of strong winds in our lives. But we’re doing well so we’re really happy about it,” said Adler. It is no surprise the team are such quick learners when you consider their sailing backgrounds; Martine is the daughter of Volvo Ocean Race skipper and five-time Olympic medallist Torben Grael whilst Daniela’s uncle is Daniel Adler, also an Olympic medallist. The next generation are also clearly aware of the family traditions, “The first time they were together they were silver medallists in the Olympics [in the Soling at the 1984 Games in Los Angeles]. The second time maybe, gold!” said Daniela with a twinkle in her eye'.

French 420s gather for the Coupe Nationale 
Each summer French 420 sailors (and often a good many others) make for Brittany/Bretagne and/or the Atlantic coast for their National Cup. Right now some 160 sailors are busy getting measured and out practising at CN Ile-Tudy, near Quimper, Finistère (south east of Brest). Proximity to the Worlds in Athens may have diminished the numbers a bit, but in France they sail in big fleets! (and they have some selecting left to do!). Unusually, just one international entry this year, a Scots boat! This year racing will be in a single fleet format. Races will start tomorrow (Monday) at 11AM. Light winds are forecast for the event. Bonne chance!

Julian & Philipp Autenrieth win at Garda 
After 9 races and with a 13 point lead, Julian & Philipp Autenrieth of Germany have won the 58° Intervela at Fraglia Vela Riva on Lake Garda. Federico Cattaneo & Fabrizio Nardi (ITA) took 2nd (29pts) and Max Trippolt & Julian Meister (AUT), were third on 33pts, 23 ahead of their next challengers, Davide Vignone & Matteo Ramian (ITA).

For the women, Roberta Caputo took first place (6th overall) – we still await confirmation of her crew! Gil Cohen & Adva Kremer (ISR) were 2nd (overall 9th) and Meret Vogt & Nicole Bolliger (SUI) were the third placed women’s team (12th overall).

[Our apologies to Max & Julian for earlier, compounded errors! Succesful application for redress in the last two races apparently led to correction of their final results. Well, its meant we have at least one photo from the event though! Has anyone else got any?]

Cattaneo & Nardi lead into the final day at Garda 
Federico Cattaneo & Fabrizio Nardi, after 8 Races, lead the 69-boat field at Fraglia Vela Riva on Lake Garda by four points into the final day of the 58° Intervela Regatta. Julian & Philipp Autenrieth (GER) also pulled their way up to finish on 33 points. Having to discard a DNF in race 8, Max Trippolt & Julian Meister (AUT) are 15 points behind, while Davide Vignone & Matteo Ramian (ITA) are on 60 pts and Sergio Racco & Antonio Spagnalo (ITA) are in 5th on 61 pts.

Roberta Caputo (ITA), another helm without a declared crew (!), is first woman in 8th overall, on 96 pts. Gil Cohen & Adva Kremer (ISR) are 1 point behind and Meret Vogt & Nicole Bolliger (SUI) are on 106 pts.

Pre-Worlds Training Camp 
Nick Drougas will be holding a pre-worlds training camp in Athens from 19th to 21st July. Full details can be found by following the link.

Vogt & Bolliger lead at Garda after 5 races 
With a first discard kicking in, there have been some changes in the line-up at the Intervela on Garda today. Meret Vogt & Nicole Bolliger (SUI - YC Bielersee) take a 5-point lead into Day 3. Max Trippolt & Julian Meister (AUT) move up to 2nd and are on equal points (20) with Domonkos Rozswyay & Jonata Czeizel of Hungary in 3rd. According to the published results, Federico Cattaneo is sailing single-handed - which is impressive as he is in 4th tonight on 21 pts - but we are wondering if Fabrizio Nardi is on board too! Julian & Philipp Autenrieth appear to have had a tricky second day 5th on 23 pts), but their 3 bullets on Day 1 should keep them well in the running.

Julian & Philipp Autenrieth lead on day 1 at Riva del Garda 
The 58° Intervela opened for racing today with three races and an international field of 66 boats, including USA and NZL teams on their European tour toward Athens.

A clean sweep of three bullets for Julian & Philipp Autenrieth of Bayerischer YC, Germany (Julian was Optimist World Champion in 2006). Leonardo Dubbini & Federico Lovison of CV Toscolano Maderno (ITA) are in 2nd on 9 points, while Max Trippolt & Julian Meister (AUT) are 3rd on 19pts; Sarah & Emma Berry, well-known New Zealand 420 campaigners are 4th on 29pts and Meret Vogt & Nicole Bolliger (SUI), recently returned from the Flanders Regatta, are 5th on 32 pts.

Keijzer & van Veen: champions at Flanders 
Scoring another bullet in the last race, Nina Keijzer & Anneloes van Veen were leaving nothing to chance! But, with a six point lead over their nearest rivals, they won Flanders 2008. Former winners of the Imperia Winter Regatta (2006) and Women’s Silver at the Junior Euros 2007 at Medemblik, this Dutch team are ones to watch at the forthcoming Worlds in Athens, as are the second-placed team, Toni Tur Boned & Aleix Selles Vidal (ESP), from CN Salou, Cataluña, champions at the 2008 Campeonato de España and 3rd at the Copa de España. In third place were the Australian team of Morgan Skinner & James Omay.

The last race saw two of the women’s teams strengthen their positions with a 2nd and 3rd, Meret Vogt & Nicole Bolliger of Switzerland and Clara & Lucie Scheiwiller of France respectively.
The full line-up of the top fifteen is:
Nina Keijzer & Anneloes van Veen (NED) 23,0
Toni Tur Boned & Aleix Selles Vidal (ESP) 29,0
Morgan Skinner & James Omay (AUS) 48,0
Nicola Lefebvre & Hubert Cothier (FRA) 53,0
Maxime Chaigneau & Chevet Henry (FRA) 58,0
Clara & Lucie Scheiwiller (FRA) 61,0
Guillem Vidiella Conchan & Óscar López Ravetllat (ESP) 62,0
Stern Marc & Meylan Stéphane (SUI) 70,0
Andrea Cornudella & Clara Dolz (ESP) 72,0
Charles Lassarat & Paul Dadvisard (FRA) 73,0
Sarah Hickman & Megan Fileman (GBR) 84,0
Meret Vogt & Nicole Bolliger (SUI) 87,0
Lys Moulaert & Sophie Audenaerdt (BEL) 89,0
Astrid Hansen & Evelyn Pettersson (AUS) 94,0
Barbara Cornudella & Sara López Ravetllat (ESP) 101,0

Viktor & Veronika Johannisson win Swedish JSM 
1 Viktor & Veronika Johannisson 13 points
3 Fredrik Gustafson & Magnus Castenfors 29pts
4 John Gustafson & Sofia Gustafson 32pts
5 Elin Ogeman & Kalle Mattsson 38pts
6 Martin Koch & Axel Benson 38pts
7 Maja Bärring & Linnéa Petersson 43pts
8 Veronica Fredriksson & Josefine Thorwaldson 46pts
9 Oliver Molse & Sir Jacob Palmquist 53pts
10 Linnéa Castenfors & Anna Rosén 75pts

CLI-CA 2008 Invitation 
The CLI-CA organisation have organised the first of their 2008-9 activities. This time it will take place in Mallorca, in the Club Nautico S'Arenal at the end of August. There will be a clinic followed by a regatta and all 420 sailors are invited to participate.

Keijzer & van Veen take over after 10 at Flanders 
On the penultimatre night of the Regatta and after 10 races, Nina Keijzer & Anneloes van Veen (NED) are in the lead by 3 points. Toni Tur Boned & Aleix Selles Vidal (ESP) are in 2nd on 25 points, while the Australians, Morgan Skinner & James Omay are up to 3rd on 39 pts. Nicola Lefebvre & Hubert Cothier (FRA) are 4th (44 pts) and Guillem Vidiella Conchan & Óscar López Ravetllat (ESP) are on 50 pts. Clara & Lucie Scheiwiller (FRA) are 2nd women (58 pts) and Andrea Cornudella & Clara Dolz (ESP) 3rd (62 pts).

Tur Boned & Selles Vidal take the lead at Flanders 
Toni Tur Boned & Aleix Selles Vidal, Spanish champions, have taken the lead at the Flanders Youth Regatta after 8 races, with 19 points (discarding a 6). On their heels, and also discarding a 6 to be one point behind are the experienced Dutch team, Nina Keijzer & Anneloes van Veen. Nicola Lefebvre & Hubert Cothier (FRA) are 3rd (32 pts), Morgan Skinner & James Omay (AUS) 4th on 39 and Guillem Vidiella Conchan & Óscar López Ravetllat 5th on 44 points

News at last from Flanders: France being chased by Spain & the Netherlands! 
Flanders Youth Regatta is well underway at Nieuwpoort in Belgium. After a little delay we now have results from five races. It looks as though it is just as well that aa discard has kicked in for those who did not make the first race! Quite a change in the entry this year, with a diminished GBR participation, but competitors from France, Switzerland, and Australia, a large team from Spain, and, of course, Belgium & the Netherlands.

Maxime Chaigneau & Henry Chevet (SR Havre/SNPH) are leading on 6 points, with Toni Tur Boned & Aleix Selles Vidal (ESP - CN Salou, Cataluña - champions at the 2008 Campeonato de España and 3rd at the Copa de España) and Nina Keijzer & Anneloes van Veen (NED -Braassemermeer - winners of Imperia Winter Regatta 2006 and Women’s Silver at the 2007 Junior Euros) in 2nd & 3rd, both on 9 points. Nicola Lefebvre & Hubert Cothier (FRA) are 4th on 11 pts and Guillem Vidiella Conchan &Óscar López Ravetllat (ESP) 5th on 18 pts. Following the lead of Keijzer & van Veen among the women, are Astrid Hansen & Evelyn Pettersson (AUS) on32 pts and Sarah Hickman & Megan Fileman (GBR) on 36pts

Maccari & Vitali and Wetzl & Parladori win Kiel: an Italian double! 
1 Federico Maccari & Rocco Vitali (ITA) 8 pts
2 Ferdinand Gerz & Tobias Bolduan (GER) 11 pts
3 Edoardo Scotti & Lorenzo de Felice (ITA) 11 pts
4 Andreas & Alexandros Bakatsias (GRE) 17 pts
5 Julian & Philipp Autenrieth (GER) 20 pts
6 Ben Saxton & David de Boltz (GBR) 23 pts
7 Sotiris Tsamis & Iason Christoforidis (GRE) 7 pts
8 Antonius Tsiboukelis & Georgius Karonis (GRE)
9 Matt Rainback & Simon Foskett (GBR) 30 pts
10 Phil Sparks & Ben Gratton (GBR) 33 pts
11 Michalis Petrogonas & Faidon Kounas (GRE) 34 pts
12 Ben Palmer & Piers Strong (GBR) 35 pts
13 Federica Wetzl & Marta Parladori (ITA) 36 pts
14 Julian Stückl & Adrian Hoesch (GER) 39 pts
15 James Rusden & Joe Williams (GBR) 43 pts
Women:
1 Federica Wetzl & Marta Parladori (ITA) 36 pts
2 Karoline Pepin & Sabine Becker (GER)
3 Maria Voulgaraki & Danae-Dionisia Pascwou (GRE) 63 pts
4 Lisa Panuschka & Jacqueline Münks (GER) 66 pts
5 Nina Keijzer & Anneloes van Veen (NED) 80 pts
6 Imke Brockerhoff & Annika Storke (GER) 81 pts

Photos from Kiel 
With no sailing at Kiel on Monday, we managed to get some photos from the first day, currently featuring on the Rolling Photos on this page (we will get a Gallery up later). These have a certain Irish orientation, but we are pleased that Germany's leading ladies feature!

If you have access to photos, news, have a story to tell......just click on "Submit News / Photos"......please!

Maccari & Vitali hold on after Race 4 
Taking a 3rd in Race 4, Federico Maccari & Rocco Vitali (ITA) hold the lead on 9 points, with Ferdinand Gerz & Tobias Bolduan (GER) taking a 2nd and retaining 2nd overall on 13 pts. Andreas & Alexandros Bakatsias now lead the Greek challenge in 3rd overall (16 pts), having scored a bullet in Race. Matt Rainback & Simon Foskett (GBR) are on 19 and Antonius Tsiboukelis & Georgius Karonis (GRE) on 19 points.

Lisa Panuschka & Jacqueline Münks (GER) retain the women’s lead on 49 pts (15th overall), but Eleni Stamkov & Stamatia Fragkiadaki (GRE) are just 2 points and one place behind. Karoline Pepin & Sabine Becker (GER), continue their upward push, with a second 9th of the day, to put themselves 3rd women on 57 pts (18th overall).

Maccari & Vitali assume lead after Race 3 at Kiel 
Federico Maccari & Rocco Vitali (ITA) take over the lead on 6 points with a further bullet in R3 (Sunday). Ferdinand Gerz & Tobias Bolduan (GER) are in 2nd on 11 pts. Antonius Tsiboukelis & Georgius Karonis (GRE) drop to 3rd on equal 14 points with GBR teams Phil Sparks & Ben Gratton and Matt Rainback & Simon Foskett, while two further Greek boats, Andreas & Alexandros Bakatsias and Sotiris Tsamis & Iason Christoforidis are in 6th and 7th, both on 15 points.

Among the women, Lisa Panuschka & Jacqueline Münks (GER) take over the lead (with an 5th overall in R3) on 26 points. Eleni Stamkov & Stamatia Fragkiadaki (GRE) are on 31 pts and Imogen Stanley & Kate Macgregor (GBR) on 41 pts, 4 points ahead of Ewa Bartosiewicz & Katarzyna Ostrowska (POL), who, in turn, are 3 points ahead of Karoline Pepin & Sabine Becker (GER).

Tsiboukelis & Karonis take early lead at Kiel 
With some 190 420s registered, Kieler Woche got underway today. Nearly half the competitors come from outside Germany, including Australia (3), Austria (7), Czech Republic (4), Denmark (1), Spain (6), France (1), Britain (13), Greece (14), Hungary (6), Ireland (7), Italy (9), Netherlands (5), Poland (11) and Sweden (5). The first international event since the Izola Cup in March and CIMA in April, Kiel follows completion of team selections in most countries for the 420 Worlds in Athens and the Junior Europeans in Zadar. Many of these are competing at Kiel, so this should provide some indication of comparative form, among the competing countries.

Two races were sailed on the first day (Saturday) of the five day event. “Sunshine, westerly breeze reaching 8 to 10 knots, air and water temperature refreshing 17 degrees Celsius - just perfect conditions for the opening day of Kieler Woche 2008!”

Antonius Tsiboukelis & Georgius Karonis of Greece took an early lead. Federico Maccari & Rocco Vitali of Italy (5th at the 2007 Junior Europeans) are 2nd, Phil Sparks & Ben Gratton (GBR) 3rd, Ferdinand Gerz & Tobias Bolduan (GER) (4th at the 2007 Europeans and leading German team in their recent selection series) 4th and Sotiris Tsamis & Iason Christoforidis (GRE) are 5th.

The Greek team have made an early impact among the wemen competitors also. Eleni Stamkov & Stamatia Fragkiadaki, from the Club where the Worlds will be held next month, are in 2nd, followed by Lisa Panuschka & Jacqueline Münks (GER), but the leaders are Martyna Walczyk & Monika Kondlewska of Poland..

2008 General Assembly 
The General Assembly of the International 420 Class will take place on the 27th July at 17.30 during the World Championships. The agenda has been published on the Documents page of this web site.

New 420 Fleet for Bulgaria 
This week a fleet of 6 new 420s arrived in Bulgaria (see Photo News ), bought by the Bulgarian Sailing Federation. BSAF President Stanislav Kassarov explained that this was the start of their programme to have a double-handed boat for the transition between Optimists and 470s. We hope to see some of the boats at our events this summer.

Нов клас яхти в България

На 14.05.2008 в България бяха доставени първите 6 лодки от клас 420.

Клас 420 е една от най-разпространените яхти по света за екипаж от двама души. По света се карат над 56 000 лодки в над 70 страни. 420 е клсът, който се използва за развитие на младежкото ветроходство в 43 стр

Agueda Suria & Sofía Basterra - Double Champs in a fortnight! 
Women’s Champions at the Coupe Internationale Méditerranéenne de l’Amitié (CIMA) 2008, Agueda Suria (RCN Valencia) and Sofía Basterra (CN El Balís) won the Copa de España 2008 overall at RCN de Dénia (between Alicante and València) at the weekend.

Clasificaciones
1 Agueda Suria & Sofía Basterra 22 points
2 Felipe Parejo & Pablo Fernández 23 pts
3 Toni Tur & Aleix Selles 30 pts
4 Bruno Gago & Ceasar Conde 53 pts
5 Diego Botin & Pablo Turrado 55 pts
6 Carlota Massana & Ana Lobo 55 pts
7 Hugo Fernandez & Sergio Crespo 56 pts
8 Santi & David Mas Depares 59 pts
9 Elia Borrego Arnau & Lourdes Sala Climent 59 pts
10 Carlos Cantero & Juan Curbelo 59 pts

Rusden & Williams win GBR Selection Series 
In a closely fought selection series of 11 races over two weekends and at different venues, GBR completed its Worlds and Junior Euros selection series on Monday. The points say it all! James Rusden & Joe Williams won by one point from Ben Saxton and David de Boltz, scoring bullets in the two races on the last day; the gap after the two leading boats was some 28 points. Ben Palmer & Piers Strong were 3rd, with Matt Rainback & Simon Foskett 4th and Owain Matthews & Tim Saxton 5th.

Imogen Stanley & Kate Macgregor, Bronze winners at last year’s Junior Europeans, led the women, in 7th overall. But Lucy de Boltz & Milly Parkin made a strong challenge in the second event, to pull up to 9th overall. Becca Kalderon & Rosie Sibthorp were in 13th in a Series’ fleet of 32 boats.

A flotilla of Irish boats also sailed in for the two GBR events (at Bala SC in Wales and at Highcliffe SC on the south coast). Stephen Tiernan & Rob Lehane of Kinsale YC took 9th in the second open event, to build on 11th in the first. Jane Butler & Jennifer Andreasson of the Royal St George YC lead the Irish women at both.

Hondel & Kleijweg win Dutch Youths 
Bart van der Hondel & Jasper Kleijweg have won the Dutch Youth Regatta, with a 2 point lead over the Silver and Women’s winners, Nina Keijzer & Anneloes van Veen (14 points), after some very close sailing. Dirk Bennen & Christiaan van Garderen were 3rd (23 pts), Robert-Jan Kentgens & Perry Gebuijs 4th (34 pts) and Fleur van Erp & Charlotte Stumpel 4th (38 pts).

Federação Portuguesa de Vela declare 2008 Junior Champions 
The final results were published tonight (click above) for the XIX Campeonato de Portugal de Juniores – 2008. The 420 champions are: Campeão de Portugal Junior da Classe 420 (that’s the Open Champions): Gonçalo Santos & Lourenço Gonçalves of CN de Cascais and Campeã de Portugal Junior de Classe 420 Feminino (that’s the Women): Francisca & Filipa Barros of YC Porto. For further information go to Federação Portuguesa de Vela.

Santos & Gonçalves lead Campeonato de Portugal de Juniores 
Gonçalo Santos & Lourenço Gonçalves has a clear lead in the Portuguese 420 “Junior” Championship at CV Lagos with three bullets counting. Manuel Cunha & António Tinoco are 2nd on 10 pts and Frederico Gomes & Miguel Pinto 3rd on 12pts. Francisca & Filipa Barros are the first women’s team (5th overall), while Joana Azevedo & Adelaide Gouveia are 2nd (8th overall) and Francisca Martins & Inês Coelho 3rd (10th overall).

Pedro Rodriguez, General Secretary of the International 420 Class reports that, on day 2 (Friday) of the XIX Junior Championship in Lagos, Portugal, “the wind was blowing with the intensity that ranged between 15 and 20 knots, which gave the sailors a chance to make up for the lost time of the day before [no races on Day 1 apparently], with 4 races sailed”. In spite of an extra early start on Day 3 to catch the early wind forecast, the sailors were returned to the shore without racing. Fingers are crossed in Lagos for more on the final day (Sunday), though the forecast is not promising.

On-Line Entries Now Open 
On-line entries for both the World Championships and the Junior European Championships are now open on the racing pages of the web site.

Brenac & Lacaze win CIMA 2008 
Damien Brenac of YC Antibes & Julien Lacaze of SN Bandol won CIMA at YC Cavalaire on Monday. It seems the weather that caused much equipment breakage at the Semaine Olympique Française at Hyères on Sunday, affected CIMA too; the four-day event completed seven races. Gabriel Scoczek & Thibaut Soler (YC Mauguio-Carnon), who took 4th at last year’s 420 Junior Europeans at Medemblik, were 2nd on 18 pts and Yvan Beckius & Pierre Petetin (SN de Sanary) 3rd on 21 pts. Maxime Garbay & Achille Nebout Javal (YC Mauguio-Carnon) were 4th on 28 pts and David Omedes & Oscar Lopez from Spain (CV Palamos) were 5th on 31 pts

The Spanish women stormed the podium, with Agueda Suria & Sofia Basterra (RCN Valencia) leading (15th overall) [Agueda was 4th in the Women's World Championships at Istanbul last year]. Carlota Massana & Ana Lobo (CN Salou) were 2nd (16th) and Atlantic & Nora Brugman (CV Blanes), 3rd (18th).

Rest of top ten:
6 Vianney Guilbaud & Bastien Aumont (CV St Quentin) 37 pts
7 Paul Rossi & Marc Mallaret (YC Mauguio-Carnon) 39 pts
8 Nemo Moinet & Julien Lebrun (YC Mauguio-Carnon) 40 pts
9 Sacha Pelisson (YC Cavalaire) & Nicolas Rossi (YC Antibes) 40 pts
10 Baptiste Choquenet & Nicolas Kniebihli (EV Cherbourg) 46 pts

34 of the 116 boats came from outside France. Those who led for their teams were:
Max Trippolt & Julian Meister for Austria (YC Bregenz), 14th overall
Gonçalo Spintos & Laurenço Goncalues for Portugal (CN Cascais), 17th
Rita Leal Faria & Teresa Cunha for Portugal (CN Cascais), 20th
Marc Stern & Stéphane Meylan for Switzerland (CN Versoix), 26th
Roberta Caputo & Benedetta Barbiero for Italy (RYCC Savoia), 31st
Rozsnyay Domonkos & Czeizel Jonatan for Hungary (Spartacus Vitorlás Egylet), 34th
Meret Vogt & Nicole Bollinger for Switzerland (CV Béroche), 56th
YC Cavalaire

Brenac & Lacaze take early lead at CIMA 
Well, we are watching YC Cavalaire for news of CIMA, but by Sunday night we are only seeing the first five races, up to Saturday. Hopefully, more will be revealed tomorrow! Meanwhile, who are the early movers and shakers?

Locals, Damien Brenac (YC Antibes) & Julien Lacaze (SN Bandol) were leading on 5 points, with Yvan Beckius & Pierre Petetin (SN de Sanary) on 10 pts and Gabriel Scoczek & Thibaut Soler (YC Mauguio-Carnon) on 12 pts. Spanish sailors, David Omedes & Oscar Lopez (CV Palamos) were 4th (16 pts) and Maxime Garbay & Achille Nebout Javal (YC Mauguio-Carnon) 5th (19 pts).

For the women, Cassandra Blandin (SNO Nantes) & Marion Leprunier (NDCV Angers) were in 16th overall, with the Spanish team Carlota Massana & Ana Lobo (CN Sevilla) in 17th and Roberta Caputo & Benedeta Barbiero (ITA - RYCC Savoia) 21st.

If anyone has more up-to date news or images of this or any other 420 regatta, please click on Submit News / Photos

It’s CIMA again! 
The big French International 420 Championship, Coupe Internationale Méditerranéenne de l’Amitié (CIMA) is underway this weekend at Yacht Club de Cavalaire. We hope that there will be news soon; the link above takes you to the Event website. La bonne chance à tous les marins

Asenathi Jim & Marlon Jones double RSA National Champions 
Asenathi Jim from Red Hill & Marlon Jones from Ocean View, both of Izivunguvungu-MSC Foundation for Youth are National 420 Champions in South Africa for a second year running. The second National Championship for the brand new RSA 420 Class was held at the SAS Western Cape Championships 2008 at Hoedjiesbaai Beach, Saldanha Bay and was organised by Zeekoevlei YC.

Asenathi & Marlon completed the challenging 12 race series on 15 points, 13 ahead of their next rivals and 6 bullets to their names! But they did not have it totally their way. Ashwynn Daniels and Denzio Davids, fellow members of the Izivunguvungu Sailing School, took the silver step on the podium on 28 points and took a 1st in R10. Two points behind overall were father and son team, Paul and Jean Jacques Gorremans of Zeekoevlei YC, who had three bullets, but made the bronze slot on countback from Kenwyn Daniels & Joweal Klaase, again members of Team Izivunguvungu.

Fellow former Optimist sailors, who have recently teamed up and put in some competition practice at Hermanus in January, Brevan Thompson & Callum Kilpin of ZVYC took fifth in the Championships. We are pleased to see Michael Kellett & Gabriel Bhala take 6th, a great improvement on their 12th last year. Meanwhile, the first Women, Carla Dyer & Bridget Clayton of the University of Cape Town YC, improved on last year too! When are we going to see you guys at an international event? Alison Thompson’s Event Report is attached.

Saxton & de Boltz and Stanley & Macgregor win 420 titles at GBR Youths 
The GBR (RYA) Youth Championships & (ISAF) Trials concluded on Friday at Clwb Hwylio Pwllheli SC in Wales. Ben Saxton & David de Boltz are GBR 420 Youth Champions and Imogen Stanley & Kate Macgregor are the Women’s Champions.

It was a close thing, with Owain Matthews and Ben’s brother, Tim a point behind after the final race. And strong challenges had been mounted throughout the week by Phil Sparks & Ben Gratton, at their first Youth Championships, and by James Rusden & Joe Williams. Imogen Stanley & Kate Macgregor, bronze winners at last year’s Junior Europeans, had an enormous lead of 68 points over their next rivals in the women’s competition, helmed by Imogen’s younger sister. Karenza Morton’s Report on the whole event, which is the annual selection trial for the GBR team for the ISAF Youth Worlds is attached.

The GBR 420 Class was also celebrating the selections for the double-handed dinghy at the ISAF Youths. Of the 29er fleet of nearly 40 boats, the top four performing helms were all current or former 420 Class members. Both experienced 420 sailors, Frances Peters & Claire Lasko, who were 2nd overall, will be GBRs womens representatives at the ISAFs, and Frances’ younger brother, James. who helmed the winning boat at the Championships, will also be going to the ISAFs. Watch out in 420s in 2009!

Stanley & Macgregor lead GBRs 420 Youth(ful) Women 
Imogen Stanley & Kate Macgregor have built a pretty massive lead in the women’s competition at the GBR (RYA) Youth Championships at Pwllheli Sailing Club in Wales – what we might expect from the bronze winners at last year’s Junior Europeans. Meanwhile, there is a tussle among the men, with Ben Saxton & David de Boltz leading over the first two days of racing and Owain Matthews & Tim Saxton just 4 points behind. Phil Sparks & Ben Gratton, James Rusden & Joe Williams, Stanley & Macgregor and Peter Irwin & David Kohler (Scotland) are all within 2 points of each other and in contention. Two more days’ sailing if the wind behaves better than it did on Tuesday!

We have received photographs from Richard Langdon of Ocean Images to join those from the Izola Cup, the South Americans and Ireland on our Rolling Photos on the News page.

Do you have news & images from other 420 events? Let us know by clicking on “Submit News / Photos” on the Navigation menu.

Tiernan & Lehane 2008 Irish (ISA) National Youth Champions 
Stephen Tiernan of Poole YC & Rob Lehane of the Royal Cork and Kinsale Yacht Clubs won the 2008 ISA National Youth Championships in Schull, South West Ireland. Tim Ó Laoire & Brian Kelleher of Howth and the Royal St George Yacht Clubs were 2nd and Jane Butler & Jenny Andreasson were 3rd and are Women’s National Youth Champions.

New Builder Licensed in Mexico 
The Mexican company of Veleros Nautica a Punto have been granted a licence to build the International 420. This is a significant step in the growth of the International 420 in Central America, and we wish them well.

Snow Hansen & Goodwin win NZL Nationals 
Monday saw the 420s complete their final 2 races. Conditions were NE 4-6 knots for the first race. The second race was shorted at mark 3 after 55 minutes sailing when the wind dropped to under 3 knots.

Winners were:
1 Paul Snow Hansen and Ben Goodwin, Wakatere BC, on 22 points
2 Simon Cooke and Scott Illingsworth, Kohimaramara BC on 31 points
3 Alexandria Maloney and Bianca Barbarich-Bacher, Murrays Bay/KeriKeri SCs 49 points

Maccari & Vitali lead at Marsala 
Federico Maccari & Rocco Vitali (CV Bellano) lead after 6 races at the Regate Nationale at Marsala on 7 points. Edoardo Mancinelli Scotti & Sara Zribi of CV Roma are in 2nd on 8 pts and Lorenzo Gemini & Francesco Chessa Orro of YC Cagliari are 3rd on 14. The regatta, which finishes tomorrow, is a selector for the Italian Worlds and Junior Europeans teams.

No racing on last day of Izola Cup 
"After a rough night with rain and snow even on the Slovenian Coast, where we rarely see it, Izola awoke to a cloudless day, with a light Bora (NW). Just a few hours later, with the first cloud, all hopes died. Nearly! After a few hours both Race Committees invited the competitors onto the water, but rain and hale 'killed' the wind, so the RC's sent the boats ashore". We guess the final results are those we published below (from the third day).

A cold Bora (NE) on third racing day in Izola 
Ferdinand Gerz & Tobias Bolduan (GER) lead at the Izola Spring Cup in Slovenia on 15 points after 9 races. But Max Trippolt & Julian Meister (AUT) are on their heels with 19 points, with both teams pulling well ahead of the rest of the fleet. Reka Vigh & Zora Kiss (HUN) and Magdalena & Sophia Hubert-Reh (GER) look as tghough they are having their own close tussle in the women’s.

The excellent Izola website gives us some information on day 3: Snow inland made a great difference, according to the forecasts. Instead of lighter Southern winds, the Bora (NE) reappeared the Gulf of Trieste. Racing was delayed until noon. After that there was a fine and stable NE wind (17 to 22 knots), but quite some degrees C lower than most have expected. “There were some more problems on the second racing field for non-olympic classes. It seems that most of the crews of the 420 class haven't rounded the right mark. There is a hearing held after the protest placed by the RC”.

1 Ferdinand Gerz & Tobias Bolduan (GER) (15)
2 Max Trippolt & Julian Meister (AUT) (19)
3 Walter Bajons & Rudi Weiss (AUT) (43 pts)
4 Florian Felzmann & Martin Lux (AUT) (52)
5 Maximilian Hubert-Reh & Sebastian Ziegler (GER) (54)
6 Domonkos Rozsnyay & Jonatan Czeizel (HUN) (55)
7 Reka Vigh & Zora Kiss (HUN) (62)
8 Magdalena & Sophia Hubert-Reh (GER) (63)
9 Vali Richter & Simon Bildstein (AUT) (87)
10 Jiri Dymak & Michal Steiner (CZE) (90)

Snow Hansen & Goodwin maintain lead in NZL Nationals 
Paul Snow Hansen and Ben Goodwin of Wakatere BC completed the 3rd day and 9 races on 20 points. Simon Cooke and Scott Illingsworth of Kohimaramara BC remained in contention on 28. Alexandria Maloney and Bianca Barbarich-Bacher of Murrays Bay and KeriKeri SCs moved up the fleet to 3rd on 51, but only 8 ahead of the next team.

News of the racing from the New Plymouth website: “Conditions for day 1 were light. Racing was delayed until 11.30 until the wind settled. The first race started with a 6-7 knot NE wind. A significant shift to the NW favoured boats that had worked the left hand side of the course. Race 2 was sailed in a 6 -7 knot NW wind. The 420's sailed a third race in a 8-9 knot NW wind. Three races were sailed for each class on Saturday. The wind strength increased from 10 knots to 16- 18 knots. Discards are now in play for each fleet. Sunday races were sailed in 7-9 knot SE winds. The 420's have now completed 9 races. A number of 420 crews now have 2 OCS's. The second discard kicks in after 11 races have been sailed”.

Sucari & Renna – 2006 South American 420 Champions 
Francsico Sucari & Francisco Renna of Argentina won the Championship in Rio de Janeiro with a race to spare Andrés Ducasse Soruco & Fernando Andrés Gwozdz of Chile took the Silver on the podium, while Martine Soffiatti Grael & Daniela Adler Pimentel Duarte of Brazil took the Bronze and became Women’s Champions – ahead of fellow country-women, Ana J. Jungen & Kahena Kunze and Manuela Busaro Barbachan & Ana Luiza Busato Barbachan. Fábio Galvanese Melchert & Fernando Cardial (BRA) were 4th overall and Benjamin Grez Ahrens & Carlos Vergara Infante (CHI).

If we hear more about the event….or even the gossip from the boatpark, we will bring this to you! Meanwhile, sounds like a great event, with strong participation from Chile and Argentina, as well as this year’s host, Brazil. Meanwhile, here are the top ten; for the full results published by Iate Clube de Janeiro click on the title above.
1 Francsico Sucari & Francisco Renna (ARG) 19,0
2 Andrés Ducasse Soruco & Fernando Andrés Gwozdz (CHI) 36,0
3 Martine Soffiatti Grael & Daniela Adler Pimentel Duarte (BRA) 44,0
4 Fábio Galvanese Melchert & Fernando Cardial (BRA) 49,0
5 Benjamin Grez Ahrens & Carlos Vergara Infante (CHI) 50,0
6 Bruno Verdino & Tirso Sanchez Brizuela (ARG) 65,0
7 Ana J. Jungen & Kahena Kunze (BRA) 67,0
8 Manuela Busaro Barbachan & Ana Luiza Busato Barbachan (BRA) 68,0
9 Juliana Siqueira Senfft & Gabriela Nocolio de Sá (BRA) 74.0
10 Felipe Haddad & Nicolas Castro (BRA) 81,0

Tur & Selles crowned Spanish National Champions 2008 
Toni Tur & Aleix Selles of Cataluña (CN Salou) took the closely contested Championships at Mar Menor, with a 1 pint lead over Silver winners, Hugo Fernandez & Sergio Cresp of Galicia (LC de Villagarcia) on 41, with Felipe Pare Jo & Pablo Fernandez of Andalucia (CN Sevilla) in 3rd on 48 pts.

Carlota Masana & Ana Lobo of Cataluña (CN Vilassar de Mar / CN Sevilla) won the Women’s, with Maria Grobas & Sonia Villar of Galicia (RCN de Vigo) 2nd and Agueda Suria & Sofia Basterra of Comunidad Valenciana (RCN Valencia / CN El Balis) in 3rd.

Carlos Serrano & Javier Hernan of the Canarias (RCN Bran Canaria) won the Silver Fleet.

Top ten below, with full Gold and Silver results attached.:
1 Toni Tur & Aleix Selles of Cataluña (CN Salou) (40 points)
2 Hugo Fernandez & Sergio Cresp of Galicia (LC de Villagarcia) (41)
3 Felipe Pare Jo & Pablo Fernandez of Andalucia (CN Sevilla) (46)
4 Nicolas Rodriguez & Ricardo Lor of Galicia (RCN de Vigo) (50)
5 David Omedes & Carles Gallart of Cataluña (CN Palamos & CN Prema) (50)
6 Bruno Gago & Cesar Conde of Galicia (LC de Villagarcia) (56)
7 Carlota Masana & Ana Lobo of Cataluña (CN Vilassar de Mar / CN Sevilla) (57)
8 Jorge Martinez & Tomas Ugalde of Canarias (RCN Gran Canaria) (58
9 Marc Pallicer & Joris Menno of the Baleares (CN S´Arenal) (73)
10 Maria Grobas & Sonia Villar of Galicia (RCN de Vigo) (73)

New Zealand National Championships underway at New Plymouth YC 
We are picking up results from New Plymouth (follow link above) and some information from the NZL Class Association , but, so far the first names of the sailors are (officially at least) elluding us. But some names do rather stand out in the mind, and the first two boats competing in their own special competition at this early stage are familiar! Racing continues to Monday.
1 Snow-Hansen & Goodwin (5 points)
2 Cooke & Illingworth (8)
3 Hansen & Drummond (19)
4 Lee & Bettle (21)
5 Snow-Hansen/Francis (21)

Top three runners still ARG, CHI, BRA in Rio 
After three days of very thorough races nine races, and with only one to go, Sucari & Renna are keeping their grip on the South American Championships 2008 in Rio de Janeiro. In second place, winning 3 of the last 4 races, the Chilean Andres Ducasse Soruco & the Argentinean (ex 470 campaigner) Fernando Gwozdz are fighting for that Gold Medal 14 points behind. A reservation on a podium place is being made by the Brazilians girls Martine Grael & Daniela Adler Pimentel Duarte, in 3rd with 40 pts. [Thanks to our man at the Buenos Aires 420 News Desk, Agustin Zappacosta, for special reporting]. Top ten results to date:
1 Francsico Sucari & Francisco Renna (ARG) 12,0
2 Andrés Ducasse Soruco & Fernando Andrés Gwozdz (CHI) 26,0
3 Martine Soffiatti Grael & Daniela Adler Pimentel Duarte (BRA) 40,0
4 Fábio Galvanese Melchert & Fernando Cardial (VRA) 42,0
5 Benjamin Grez Ahrens & Carlos Vergara Infante (CHI) 44,0
6 Bruno Verdino & Tirso Sanchez Brizuela (ARG) 50,0
7 Pedro Pablo Salzmann Mai & Miguel Ignacio Pérez Raby (CHI) 50,0
8 Nicolás Valdivieso Manubens & Benjamin Valdivieso Manubens (CHI) 61,0
9 Ana J. Jungen & Kahena Kunze (BRA) 66,0
10 Manuela Busaro Barbachan & Ana Luiza Busato Barbachan (BRA) 67,0

Tur & Selles regain the lead for Cataluña 
Toni Tur & Aleix Selles of Cataluña (CN Salou) lead on 29 points on Thursday night at the Campeonato de España 420 at Mar Menor. Evidently some close sailing and the championship will be decided on the fimal day.
2 Hugo Fernandez & Sergio Cresp of Galicia (LC de Villagarcia) (30)
3 Nicolas Rodriguez & Ricardo Lor of Galicia (RCN de Vigo) (33)
4 Felipe Pare Jo & Pablo Fernandez of Andalucia (CN Sevilla) (35)
5 Bruno Gago & Cesar Conde of Galicia (LC de Villagarcia) (38)
6 David Omedes & Carles Gallart of Cataluña (CN Palamos & CN Prema) (38)
7 Maria Grobas & Sonia Villar of Galicia (RCN de Vigo) (46)

Sucari & Renna lead at South Americans 
4 bullets in 6 races give the Franciscos, Sucari & Renna from YC Argentino an 18 point lead over their nearest rivals, tied on 22 points each, Andrés Ducasse Soruco & Fernando Andrés Gwozdz of Chile and leading women’s team, Martine Soffiatti Grael & Daniela Adler Pimentel Duarte of Brazil. Hot competition in Rio!

Gago & Conde just ahead of Tur & Selles on Day 2 in Spain 
Bruno Gago & Cesar Conde of Galicia (LC de Viilagarcia), with two bullets and a 3rd on day 2 (and after 6 races) have taken over the lead in the Spanish National Championships by I point over day 1 leaders, Toni Tur & Aleix Selles, of Cataluña (CN Salou) on 13 pts. Nicolas Rodriguez & Ricardo Lor of Galicia (RCN de Vigo) dropped to 3rd on 19 pts and David Omedes & Carles Gallart of Cataluña (CN Palamos & CN Prema) are 4th on 22 pts. Maria Grobas & Sonia Villar of Galicia (RCN de Vigo) continue to lead the women and are in 10th overall in the fleet of 95 boats.

Mr "No! That centreboard is still too thick" rules in Rio 
Francisco Sucari’s Tuesday report from Rio de Janeiro, as Measurement finally concluded: “After the second day of measurement control, all the boats met with the regulations in order to beginning racing on Wednesday. Throughout the day the voice of the rigorous measurer, Alexander Finsterbusch, was heard repeating over and over again, ‘No! That centreboard is still too thick’. More than half of the sailors were spotted ruthlessly sandpapering their centerboards for long hours under the sun. One of the many was Tirso Sanchez who, once their boat was fully approved said, "We are relieved that our centerboard finally met the maximum thickness. Now we only need to concentrate on sailing fast tomorrow and be careful with the currents."

Elsewhere, more relaxed. Francisco Sucari, coommented, "Luckily for us, we didn't have any troubles with our centerboard, so we could concentrate 100% on our boat. The key for tomorrow is to have a good night's rest and maintain the concentration throughout the day." The Chilean fleet were also present during the day as they waited long hours with their boats before they got the last "OK" from the Measurer.

The forecast for tomorrow is of light winds and lots of sun as the 2008 420 South American Championship gets under way.

Tur & Selles head up Day 1 at Mar Menor 
Toni Tur & Aleix Selles of Cataluña (CN Salou) lead on 7 points after 3 races at the end of Day 1 at the Campeonato de España 420. Nicolas Rodriguez & Ricardo Lor of Galicia (RCN de Vigo) are running 2nd on 9 pts, While David Omedes & Carles Gallart of Cataluña (CN Palamos & CN Prema) are 3rd on 14 pts. Maria Grobas & Sonia Villar of Galicia (RCN de Vigo) lead the women and are in 4th overall (17 pts)

Spanish National Championships start today 
....well, you can see the poster! We think the sailors in the poster are F Ayuso & M S«nchez of RCN Sant Ribera in the Murciana region of Spain.

Team Argentina reaches Rio for the South American Championship 
Our news team from Argentina are busy again! Our man-on-the-water, Francisco Sucari, has filed the following report on the intrepid team’s journey and arrival for the South American Championship: “After 3000 km of dangerous roads and heavy rains, the Argentine team arrived at Iate Clube Rio de Janeiro on Saturday afternoon. The only two boats from Argentina travelled in a trailer all the way from Buenos Aires!!! Again, Verdino-Sanchez Brizuela and Sucari-Renna will be the ones in charge of representing our country”. And on Sunday, Agustin Zappacosta, who they have left i/c of the news desk back home in Buenos Aires, says “they told me they were looking forward to sailing in the difficult currents of Rio. As Verdino said, ‘We are anxious to start the championship here, we hope the winds pick up and the rain stops!’. And Francisco Renna commented on the venue, ‘The Guanabara Bay is a very difficult racing area, with lots of different currents and changing tides. Luckily the winds will pick up and make a great four days of racing’. Also travelling with the team, Genaro Maggi, their ever-present coach [we hear he graduated since he led his team to Istanbul at last year’s Europeans (ed)] said, ‘There is a competitive field, with a couple of Chilean boats and the local Brazilians. With only one discard in 10 races the margins for error will be very small, so it will probably be a very close competition".

We would very much like to hear from Brazil and Chile too! Meanwhile, racing starts on Wednesday, 19 March and news will surely first be found on the Iate Clube de Janeiro website (go to Vela > Calendário 2008 > Campeonato Sul Americano)

The women rule the waves at the Campeonato Sudeste Brasileiro! 
The Campeonato Sudeste Brasileiro held at the Iate Clube de Janeiro this last weekend is an indicator for the South American 420 Championship that starts on Wednesday. And who leads? Juliana Senfft & Gabriela Sá on countback from Manuela Busaro & Ana Luiza Busaro Barbachan (both 17 points) with Geórgia Rodrigues & Amanda Rodrigues da Silva in 3rd (23 pts). And the honour of the men was in the hands of the Chilean team, Pedro Pablo Salzmann Mai & Miguel Ignacio Pérez Raby, who took 4th on 25 points, followed by mixed team, Letícia Nicolino de Sá & Eduardo Castro Bigno in 5th on 27. But what will happen in the Campeonato Sul Americano later this week? (we carry news from the Argentinean team elsewhere).

Hansen & Drummond take Sail Auckland 
Christine Hansen writes: “Great to see twenty 420's racing in this year's Sail Auckland off Kohimarama Beach. Typically, the conditions were shifty, pretty fresh and featured lots of extra traffic - ferries, keelers, motor boats, even a 100 ft plus super yacht, going around and through the course.... not to mention the class photographer dropping the old boat's sails a bit close to the finish (sorry James and George, you really didn't need that). Newcomers to the class, Marcus Hansen and Finn Drummond have been rewarded for their consistently good results including four 1st placings over four days of racing coming first overall (28pts), followed by Napier pair Wade Tresadern and Ben Goodwin (27pts) who had a great last day with two bullets, with heavy weather experts Emma and Sarah Berry one point behind in third (38pts) and first girl crew”.

Thanks to Christine Hansen of the NZL 420 Class for bringing us the story and for her photos of the fray (even if she was helping to create it!). The Final Results are here.

Jodie Bakewell-White has filed her press report on Day 2 of the Sail Auckland Olympic Classes event. Continuing information on the Event Website.

Hansen & Drummond lead at Auckland 
We now have the results of Day 3 of the 420 series (Day 1 of senior Sail Auckland). Marcus Hansen & Finn Drummond have pulled up from 5th to take a 6 point lead (26 pts). Thomas Saunders & Chris Steele are 2nd and Frankie Lardies and David Hazard are 3rd (on countback), tying on 32 points. Sarah & Emma Berry are 4th on 34 pts, as are Wade Tresadern & Ben Goodwin in 5th, while those ladies who did the grand tour of 420 Europe last year, Susannah Pyatt & Danielle Bowater are in 7th on 36 pts and Alex Maloney & Bianca Bacher are 7th on 41 pts

Sail Auckland have issued their Day 1 Press Release on the Olympic Classes event. There seems to be a problem reading some of the results that have been posted on the Event Website, as at 10.15 GMT on 16/02/07. Hopefully, this will soon be sorted, but, meanwhile, our magician (aka webmaster), Jamie has solved the problem for us - click on the header.

420 action hots up at Sail Auckland 
It is all happening in the Southern Hemisphere right now! Argentina…now New Zealand. We have news of 420 racing at Sail Auckland. Last weekend the 420s had two days of a four day series of racing and a further two will be held this weekend as part of the Sail Auckland 2008 Olympic Classes event.

The results from the first weekend are attached. Wade Tresadern & Ben Goodwin have the lead on 19 points, with Frankie Lardies & David Hazard on 21 and, leading women, Sarah & Emma Berry on 31 points.

A scan of the results so far shows that the youth sailors of NZL are very much in business after their across the board podium wins at last year’s Takapuna Worlds and the subsequent migration of many of their most experienced sailors to (or back to) the Olympic Classes since. There is new talent joining some more seasoned 420 teams. We have a short review of developments in New Zealand.

.....and Christine Hansen has filed her first week's photos (see Photo Gallery)

Sucari & Renna won by one from Verdino & Sanchez 
Really exciting sailing at the Semana de Mar del Plata 2008 by the look of the awesome photos from Matias Capizzano of www.capizzano.com. Many of us will remember Francisco Sucari & Francisco Renna and Bruno Verdino & Tirso Sanchez Brizuela at the Europeans in Istanbul. Their competition continued through the seventeen races last week on the seas of the Puerto de Mar del Plata in Argentina. Looks like they are shaping up for another competitive year in 2008, with the South American Championship coming up and then the Worlds in Athens. Although these two teams evidently revelled in the very demanding conditions last week, it is really pleasing to see all the sailors who competed (well, at least the spray they made anyway!) in Matias Capizzano’s photos, many of which appear in our latest Photo Gallery.

Semana de Mar del Plata 
Se dió por finalizada la Semana de Mar del Plata!
Después de 17 regatas, terminó el Campeonato Selectivo para el Mundial de la Clase que se llevará a cabo en Grecia en Julio próximo.
El viento y una ola profunda se hicieron presentes en el Campeonato.

Las principales posiciones quedaron de la siguiente manera:
1° Sucari-Renna 26 Ptos.
2° Verdino-Sanchez Brizuela 27 Ptos.
3° Volker-Cunill Martinez 40 Ptos.
Excelente organización del Yacht Club Argentino y el Club Náutico Mar del Plata.

Argentina complete 2008 Worlds trials at Mar del Plata 
Agustin Zappacosta writes: “After eight intense days of sailing, the Semana de Yachting came to an end in Mar del Plata. With winds ranging from 20 to 30+ knots throughout the whole week, the 420's were treated to extreme conditions and very rough seas. After 17 races the top position was heavily contested, as the crew of Sucari-Renna took first place on a one point margin from fellow competitors Verdino-Sanchez Brizuela. As the Championship came to an end, all the competitors were glad to have taken part in the event. As Sucari said, 'It was a great week with pretty consistent heavy winds. Luckily these conditions helped us improve our level in sight of the Worlds in Athens later this year'. Meanwhile, Tirso Sanchez said when asked about the heavy conditions on the last day; 'It was great fun out there, the adrenaline levels were very high, and the 30+ knots were a massacre!', he joked. The Argentine 420 fleet will now look forward to taking part in this year's South American Championship to be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil”.

Where in Athens are the Worlds? 
The Worlds 2008 Championship website went live at the beginning of January.

As well as the Notice of Race and information about transportation, accommodation and charter boats, it has a couple of aerial photographs of the venue - at the Marina Delta Falirou in the Faliron Olympic 2004 Coastal Zone Complex. The one to be found in “Photos” shows the site of the event (Nautical Club of Tzitzifies - Kallithea) in relation to Athens, Piraeus and Paleo Faliro. The event website also has a helpful link to instructions on driving to the venue from the ferry port of Patra (see link at bottom of home page).

We asked Niki Anastasiou of the Worlds Organising Committee for some more information about where the venue is situated and some hints on how to get around - see attached Information Note. We also found lots of useful information and photos by googling the Olympic sites, and the Athens Tourism website is helpful (with a useful description of the tram stops).

Καλή ναυσιπλοϊ'α στην Αθήνα! Good sailing in Athens! In the meantime, all coaches will be testing their sailors on their knowledge of the Greek alphabet.

Junior Euros - Final NoR 
Final Notice of Race for the Junior 420 and 470 European Championships to be held in Zadar, Croatia from 7 to 15 August has been published. Event information may be found in the Racing Event Calendar.

Gilmour & Noe and Koelemij & Vos win Australian Youths 
It looks as though there was no race on the last day as the Final Fresults (after 9 races) are published - click above. Lara Watts has filed her report.

420 - Boys
1. David Gilmour & Andres Noe (WA) - Gold
2. Edlad Campbell & James Omay (WA) - Silver
3. Henry Say & James Owen-Smith (VIC) - Bronze

420 – Girls
1. Sanne Koelemij & Breanna Vos (WA) - Gold
2. Lauren Thregold & Megan Soulsby (SA) - Silver
3. Ashley Carney & Claire Bryan (NSW) - Bronze

Koelemij & Vos take lead for Aus women 
After 9 races, two discards and a 1st and a 2nd to their names in the overall racing, Sanne Koelemij & Breanna Vos (WA) have jumped into the lead in the Women’s competition at the Australian Youths by 4 points. Lauren Thregold & Megan Soulsby (SA) are in 2nd and Ashley Carney (NSW)\, with her crew still a mystery, in spite of our enquiries!

David Gilmour & Andres Noe (WA) now have a lead of 8 points in the men’s, bringing their score of bullets to 5 on the third day of the Championships. Edward Campbell & James Omay (WA have a 13 point lead over Henry Say & James Owen-Smith (VIC).

Lara Watts’ Day 3 Report on the Championship includes comments from David Gilmour, son of Peter Gilmour, \the Match Racing Champion. The event concludes on Thursday.
STOP PRESS: mystery solved. Claire Bryan.is Ashley's crew...Crews Rule, OK?!, Clare. Thanks Natalie at Yachting Australia!

Gilmour & Noe hold lead, just 
With two bullets on Day 2 at the Australian Youth Championships, but a 9th in Race 6, David Gilmour & Andres Noe will be looking forward to a discard. One point behind them into day 3, Edward Campbell & James Omay are on 18, 19 points ahead of Henry Say & James Owen-Smith and Matthew Jerwood & Patrick Vos, both on 37 pts.

Lauren Thregold & Megan Soulsby lead the women by 19 points from Ashley Carney & her crew, currently known at “TBA”! Sanne Koelemij & Breanna Vos are on their tails, 4 points behind.

See Yachting Australia’s Day 2 report.

David Gilmour & Andres Noe ahead at Aus Youths 
We have Monday’s Day 1 results from the Australian Youth Champs after 3 races (follow link) - curiously single-handed though! Leaders so far (we do it with crews!):
1 David Gilmour & Andres Noe (7 points)
2 Edward Campbell & James Omay (10 pts)
3 Henry Say & James Owen-Smith (12 pts)
4 Matthew Jerwood & Patrick Vos (21 pts)
5 Lauren Thredgold & & Megan Soulsby (24 pts)
6 Luke Stephens & Rhys Collins (24 pts)

World Championships 2008 
A new web site for the 2008 World Championships in Athens, Greece has been launched, including useful information on accommodation and reduced price transportation.

Australian Youth Champs get underway 
OAMPS Insurance Brokers Australian Youth Championship 2008 is scheduled to kick off at Frankston Yacht Club today with a practice race, but the main action will be from Monday to Thursday.

On the basis of their performance at the recent Australian Nationals, we can expect some hot competition involving at least David Gilmour & Andres Noe, Mark Whittington & Scott Sharpe, Matthew Jerwood & Patrick Vos, Edward Campbell & James Omay and Lauren Thredgold & Megan Soulsby (those Psycho Chicks)!

Liu & Cheng in Photo News 
Sherman Cheng and Justin Liu - winners at the Junior Europeans 2007 and South East Asia Games in Thailand and, now, winners of the Australian National 29er Championships - have just got their own Photo News - click on navigation menu

Garbay & Nebout Javal win at Blanes 
Early confirmation of the results from the 2008 Grand Prix Vila de Blanes arrived photographically - posted on the CV Blanes' website with the podium line-up! This appears on this page on our Rolling Photos.

1. Maxime Garbay & Achille Nebout Javal of YC Mauguio Carnon, France
2. Gabriel Skoczek & Thibaut Soler (YC Mauguio Carnon) - 1st Youth
3. Nina Keijzer & Anneloes van Veen (NED) - 1st Women

For the full story see Noticias on EsportCatala.com and for photographs go to CV Blanes

Cli-Ca 420 Clinic 2007 in Tarragona 
We attach a brief pictorial report on the first 420 Training Clinic held in Tarragona, near Barcelona from 27 - 30 December. More on Cli-Ca. More inmages on our Photo Gallery.

Garbay/Nebout Javal & Skoczek/Soler lead at Blanes in Cataluña 
News of the Intl Grand Prix Vila de Blanes regatta is just coming through after three days and three races – looks like light winds on the Catalan coast. The French YC Mauguio Carnon teams, Maxime Garbay & Achille Nebout Javal and Gabriel Skoczek & Thibaut Soler are in 1st and 2nd, both on 6 points. Nina Keijzer & Anneloes van Veen (NED) are 3rd (10 pts), Max Trippolt & Julian Meister (AUT) 4th (13 pts), Walter B & Rudi Weiss (AUT) 5th (15 pts), S.Pelisson & N.Rossi of YC CAVALAIRE (FRA) 6th (20 pts) and A Brugarolas & J Pibernat, YC Blanes (ESP) 7th (21 pts). One day left….we wish them wind!

Later: So lights were the winds that they had none for two days, apparently; but finally they got underway on Saturday. “At last the wind has appeared in the Bay of Blanes: the conditions have not been the best but thanks to the dexterity and hard work of the Race Committee, three races have been completed. Northerly winds increased their intensity through the day, building to 21 knots at the last” – CV Blanes

Kivell & Taylor retain Australian National title 
With one further race on the last day, Sam Kivell & Max Taylor held their overnight lead to take the Australian National Championship at Sandringham Yacht Club, Melbourne by 5 points from David Gilmour & Andres Noe, With a gap of 28 points over the following pack, this had been a hard fought duel.

Mark Whittington & Scott Sharpe took 3rd (49 points), followed closely by Matthew Jerwood & Patrick Vos (51) and Edward Campbell & James Omay (59). Lauren Thredgold & Megan Soulsby took 6th and won the Women’s competition with a 9 point lead over their nearest rivals, Jacqueline Gurr & Emma Flukes.

Liu & Cheng triumph in Australia 
Justin Liu & Sherman Cheng of Singapore, have won the Australian National Championship by 12 points (3 days, 9 races). Winners of the 420 Junior Europeans 2007 in Medemblik, the 2008 Asian Games in Dohar and, just a few weeks ago, the South East Asian Games in the 420, these guys had four days turnaround after their return from Pattaya, Thailand to set off to Melbourne. They certainly seem to have made the switch again and set out their stall for the forthcoming 29er Worlds in Melbourne.

Kivell &Taylor have the lead, just, at Melbourne 
After a further two races and into the final day of the Australian 420 Nationals, Sam Kivell & Max Taylor have a small 5 point lead over their rivals, David Gilmour & Andres Noe, in spite of the latter’s 2 + 1 scores today. These two boats have a thwacking 22 point lead over the rest of the pack, where Mark Whittington & Scott Sharpe are in 2rd (39 points), followed closely by Matthew Jerwood & Patrick Vos (40) – so another close fight for a podium place. Edward Campbell & James Omay are also in with a shout on 46 points. Lauren Thredgold & Megan Soulsby have an 8 point lead lead in the women’s competition.

Kivell/Taylor & Gilmour/Noe dual is on! 
After three days and eight races at the Australian Nationals in Melbourne, last year's top competitors Sam Kivell & Max Taylor and David Gilmour & Andres Noe are locked in a dual. Both on 15 points, some 19 ahead of the next group, Matthew Jerwood & Patrick Vos (34), Mark Whittington & Scott Sharpe (35) and Edward Campbell & James Omay (38). Leading women, Lauren Thredgold & Megan Soulsby (the “Psycho Chickens) are in 6th and Jacqueline Gurr & Emma Flukes (aboard “Morning Mist”) are but five points behind them.

Meanwhile, our men in the 29ers, Justin Liu & Sherman Cheng of Singapore, have won the Australian National Championship by 12 points (3 days, 9 races). Winners of the 420 Junior Europeans 2007 in Medemblik and just a few weeks ago the South East Asian Games in the 420, these guys had four days turnaround after their return from Pattaya, Thailand to set off to Melbourne. They certainly seem to have made the switch and set out their stall for the forthcoming 29er Worlds in Melbourne.

Wielu sukcesów w Nowym Roku : All success for the New Year 
“Wszystkim zawodnikom, trenerom i sympatykom klasy 420 składamy najserdeczniejsze życzenia szczęśliwych Świąt i wielu sukcesów w Nowym Roku” - Zarząd Stowarzyszenia Klasy 420 & Administracja strony

The Polish 420 Class send: “all sailors, coaches and supporters of the 420 Class, most cordial wishes for happy holidays and every success in the new year” [roughly translated, that is!]

Meilleurs Voeux 2008 
Hey, we just received a New Year, Best Wishes for 2008, card from Christian Berhault, on behalf of the French 420 Class!

Une très bonne année à tout français 420 marins !

[Our initial (poor) translation of "Meilleurs Voeux" was 'Better Vows' - the winning sort, perhaps?!]

Women & Youth coming through in R4&5 at Melbourne 
Youth team, Matthew Jerwood & Patrick Vos took Sunday’s first race (R4), from women’s youth team, Lauren Thredgold & Megan Soulsby, with Whittington & Sharpe in 3rd. In Race 5, Samuel Kivell & Max Taylor were back on top with Edward Campbell & James Omay in 2nd and Henry Say & James Owen-Smith in 3rd, but with three women’s teams close on their heals.

No cumulative results to the end of Sunday’s racing yet posted, but it looks like lots of open competition! But, with a 5th in R4, Kivel & Taylor have probably held their own, and Whittington & Sharpe’s 7th in R5 will have also kept them in the running.

Oh, by the way, winners of the 420 Junior Europeans 2007 and the SEA Games 2007 in the 420, Justin Liu & Sherman Cheng of Singapore are leading the Australian 29er Nationals after 6 races!

Gilmour & Noe lead AUS Nats on 1st Day 
After three races and a “hard slog”, David Gilmour & Andres Noe of Royal Freshwater Bay, Silver winners last year, took the lead at the Australian National Championships at Sandringham Bay YC in Melbourne. Sam Kivell & Max Taylor, current National Champions, are in 2nd on 9 points, with Mark Whittington & Scott Sharpe, following their triumph at SIRs in Sydney before Christmas, in close contention on 10 points.

The “wind was a hot Northerly land breeze, 10-13 knots for Race 1. Dave Gilmour took the race. Race 2 was again a mixed bag with a very shifty race. Race 3 was started in 5-6 knts, hot, and the wind gradiating to the south until the second work when a Southerly front came through, 18-28knts catching a good portion of the fleet wrong footed. There were capsizes, broken forestays and a few shredded sails”, says our man on the spot, Allan Carney. Sounds like a good 420 event!

Results are posted on the regatta website on Sail Melbourne and daily reports from Allan Carney appear on the Australian 420 Class website.

Australian 420 Nationals have bumper entry 
Australia has 43 boats for the 420 Nationals 2008 in Melbourne – and that’s without overseas entries. To quote Allan Carney: “the amazing thing here is that at an Australian Nationals, we have 45 Intenational 420's and this is on top of the 29er Worlds and the selected youth boat being the 29er on the same waters with almost equal number of boats! What a great start to the next 3 years of 420 domination down under”. All sounds good for the event that runs to Thursday, 3rd January

Whittington & Sharpe win at Sydney 
Mark Whittington & Scott Sharpe (Western Australia) took the 420 competition by one point from Amy Kivell & Kate Aulich (Victoria) who had led the event until the final day and are the leading women. Brothers, Matthew & Benjamin Taylor (New South Wales) were 3rd, Karl Bromfield & Marcus Conway (NSW) 4th and Lucinda Whitty & Kimberley Wilmot (NSW) 5th and 2nd women’s boat.

Di Pearson of SIRs reports: “A West Australian pair made the podium....when Mark Whittington/Scott Sharpe won gold in the 420 class. The West Australian Youth Development program is coming along well, with many great 420 and 470 sailors making a name for themselves. Kivell is another name we're used to seeing on trophies, and it was no different at SIRs today when Amy Kivell/Kate Aulich (Vic) overcame 16 other female and male crews to grab silver in the 420 double-handed class” [see Sail-world.com]

Kivell & Aulich hold on in stiff winds at Sydney 
After the light winds on Sunday at the Sydney International Regatta, Day 3 saw stronger winds at Woollahra SC, several injuries in other fleets and the abandonment of racing for the 4.7s. “The day started well enough with a steady southerly breeze, but winds coming from the south and south-west increased once racing was under way, with strong winds in the 25 knot range and big gusts hitting the various Olympic and Youth classes sailing at the Yachting NSW organised event”, says sail-world.com. See also Di Pearson’s report on Yachts & Yachting.

With one race for the 420s today, Amy Kivell & Kate Aulich, having discarded a 12th and having top 4 results across the board to count, retained the lead on 12 points. But, with a further bullet and a strengthened performance after Day 1, Mark Whittington & Scott Sharpe took over the 2nd slot with 17 points. Matthew & Benjamin Taylor go into the final day on 19 points.

The SIR is being used by several countries as a key event in the Olympic Classes calendar in preparation for Beijing 2008. Among them are many ex-420 sailors, and the experience here must be great for the Australian youth sailors participating in the 420 fleet.

Kivell & Aulich maintain lead at Sydney 
Amy Kivell & Kate Aulich held their position on 9 points after race 5 at the Sydney International Regatta. But Matthew & Benjamin Taylor moved up from 4th to 2nd on 11 points, while Mark Whittington & Scott Sharpe moved up to 3rd on 16 points, two ahead of Alexander Bromfield & Patrick Conway.

SIN 420 (& ex-420) sailors hit Gold 
Junior Europeans winners Justin Liu & Sherman Cheng returned to Changi International from the SEA Games in Pattaya, Thailand triumphant again. Raffles Institution student Justin, was accompanied homeward by an equally triumphant big sister, Dawn Liu. The previous 420 Women’s Champion helm from the last SEA Games in Manila in 2005 , Dawn was celebrating again this week. With her crew, former hurdler, Elizabeth Tan, they took the Women’s 470 Gold in Thailand, an important step in their Olympic journey. And Elizabeth’s sister, Sara, featured on the wire in our Rolling Photos over the last week or so, took Silver in the Women’s 420, with her helm, Jovina Chew. 420 sailing seems to be flourishing in Singapore….and a largely family affair! For much coverage and welcome-home photos see SingaporeSailing's website (linked above).

Thai women and Singaporean men win Golds 
Justin Liou & Sherman Cheng won the 420 Men's Gold medal for Singapore at the bi-annual SEA Games today in Pattaya, Thailand. Villena & Lester Troy Tayong of the Philipines, following their win at the Hong Kong International Regattta in September, took the Silver, while Ku Anas Ku Kamil & Amir Muizz Djamaludin of Malaysia, the Bronze. Justin & Sherman won the open competition at the 420 Junior Europeans in August and have amply demonstrated their skills in the different challenges of large and small fleet competition.

Meanwhile, Booncherd Duanghathai & Poonsirikot Angkana of Thailand have won the Gold medals in the Women's 420 competition. Jovina Choo & Sara Tan of Singapore took Silver and Sandar Wai Su & Nyo Lin Knin of Myanmar, Bronze; both teams having also campaigned the 420 Junior Europeans this year.

420 Results are on our Results page (linked above) and the full Sailing Results are on the SEA Games website.

Mahjong & Japanese lunch for SIN team, while CEO worries about lottery 
News filtered through from the lay day at the SEA Games in Pattaya, Thailand via The Straits Times – we only have Singaporean news, how about you? Anyway news sleuth, Jeanette Wang, writes: “It was a busy day for Singapore's 25-strong sailing team in Pattaya yesterday. Mahjong, online gaming, shopping, getting temporary tattoos by the beach and a scrumptious Japanese lunch. Chatter and laughter filled up most of their hours. The mood among the tightly bonded team was relaxed and upbeat. No one could have guessed that this was a group of athletes in the midst of competition at the 24th South-east Asia Games” (we could, sound just like thos laid back guys when they came to Medemblik in August [ed]). Apparently, SingaporeSailing President and chef de mission, Low Teo Ping upped the gold-medal target , but even this failed to twitch any nerves! The usual daily 7.45am physical training went ahead, but sounds pretty much games on the lay day, when the team's burly, strength and conditioning coach, Quintin Roman, got rugby-tackled by his charges and thrown into the swimming pool.

Team manager (& SingaporeSailing CEO) Andrew Sanders remained cautious: “It’s still early to talk about medals. Conditions over the past few days have been very tricky, with predominantly light winds suddenly dying down. It’s like a lottery out there. There isn’t one race where the points’ margin is very wide. All the teams are still very close to each other, and with the tricky conditions, just a single bad day is enough to turn the tide against us.”

Suria & Basterra (ESP), Stavrou & Orfanos (GRE) win Imperia 
The Greek armada sailed into Imperia (see Fabio Taccola’s photo) and Vasilis Tsokaras & Alexandros Mogadam looked strong last night, but with a black flag today in this one-race-a-day Imperia Winter Regatta, that was not to be. But the Greek team was there with back-up!

Michalis Stavrou & Ioannis Orfanos (YC Rufina) won the event. GBRs Ben Saxton & David de Boltz (Grafham Water SC) pulled it back today and took the silver slot to split the Greek team on the podium tonight. Marios Petrogonas & Faidon Kounas (YC of Greece) were 3rd, Agostino Amoretti & Edoardo Raimondo and Giovanni Meloni & Alessandro Gemini 4th and 5th.

Agueda Suria & Sofia Basterra from Valencia, Spain, scoring consistently well throughout the four Women’s races, took first place! Barbera & Bocca Giulia of SC Garda Salò also demonstrated the benefits of consistency and moved up the steps of the podium to the silver slot on the final day. Giuditta Di Laghi & Elena Gandolfo of CN Albenga took the 3rd place. Katerina & Sofia Kaitatsidou and Afroditi Kiranakou & Elena Nikiforidi, both of Greece, took 4th and 5th.

Fernandez & Crespo win the 57* Trofeo Ciutat de Palma 
Hugo Fernandez & Sergi Crespo took top podium slot at Palma today. Fellow Galicians, Bruno Gago & Cesar Conde were 2nd and, one point behind, local sailors, Xavier Torrens & Xisco Socias (CN Arenal) were 3rd. María Canovas Gonzalez & Ana Lobo Ramirez (F.A.C.) were the leading women’s team.

1. Hugo Fernandez & Sergi Crespo (LC Vilagarcia) 20 pts
2. Bruno Gago & Cesar Conde (LC Vilagarcia) 26 pts
3. Xavier Torrens & Xisco Socias (CN Arenal) 27 pts
4. David Omedes (CVP) & Carles Gallart (CNP) 30 pts
5. Adolfo Berrocal Ferrer & Allain Herman (CN Sant Antoni de Portmany) 40 pts
6. Toni Tur Boned & Aleix Selles Vidal (CN Salou) 45 pts
7. Macià Alemany Porcel (RCN Palma) & Joan Fullana (CV Andraitx) 46 pts
8. María Canovas Gonzalez & Ana Lobo Ramirez (F.A.C.) 49 pts
9. Felipe Parejo Herrera & Pablo Fernandez Palacio (CN Sevilla) 57 pts
10. Santi & David Mas Depares (CN El Masnou) 71 pts

Thai women take the lead...in style! 
After three races on Sunday at the SEA Games, the Thai team, Booncherd Duanghathai & Poonsirikot Angkana, have taken the lead, with three bullets! Jovina Choo & Sara Tan (SIN) are 2nd and Sandar Wai Su & Nyo Lin Knin (Myanmar) 3rd.

In the men’s, Justin Liou & Sherman Cheng (Singapore) retain their lead. Ku Anas Ku Kamil & Amir Muizz Djamaludin (Malaysia) are 2nd and Emerson Villena & Lester Troy Tayong (Philipines) 3rd. ….but there are five more days’ racing to go!

Great images from Imperia & Palma, plus Imperia results 
We are getting great photos tonight - some already on the Rolling Photos and more to come, with some also posted on the Photo Gallery - from both Fabio Taccolo in Imperia and Nico Martinez in Palma..

Following a bit of a bottleneck in accessing the results from Imperia for Saturday (Popular website!), we have caught up. Some strong gusts over 20 knots of wind were reported by PR supremo, Laura Jelmini, who had first-hand experience having sailed the course with the Minister of Tourism!
Agueda Suria & Sofia Basterra of Spain held their first place after Saturday’s one race, but shared 4 points with Federica Wetzl & Marta Parladori, so the pressure is on for the last day’s racing! Barbera & Bocca Giulia were in 3rd overnight on 12 points.
In the Open competition, the Greek team, Vasilis Tsokaras & Alexandros Mogadam took the lead on 3 points. In 2nd their team-mates, Marios Petrogonas & Faidon Kounas and in third, leading Italian team, Lorenzo Gemini & Francesco Chessa Orru' were both on 9 pts. More close competition to be resolved on Sunday.

Fernandez & Crespo back on top at Palma 
Hugo Fernandez & Sergi Crespo pulled it back today in the Bay of Palma. Going into Sunday with a 10 point lead over Bruno Gago & Cesar Conde, who had to count an earlier 13 th after finishing the last race in 16th. Local boys, Xavier Torrens & Xisco Socias (CN Arenal) are on 24 pts in 3rd and David Omedes (CVP) & Carles Gallart (CNP) on 25 pts in 4th, while Macià Alemany Porcel (RCN Palma) & Joan Fullana (CV Andraitx) are in 5th (28 pts). Adolfo Berrocal Ferrer & Allain Herman (CN Sant Antoni de Portmany) and Toni Tur Boned & Aleix Selles Vidal (CN Salou) are both on 38 points. María Canovas Gonzalez & Ana Lobo Ramirez (F.A.C.) are the leading women in 8th place.

Exciting competition into the last day of the event!

SEA Games get underway 
In the first races of the event at the Ocean Marina Yacht Club, Pattaya in Thailand, Singapore took the lead in the men’s and women’s fleets, with Myanmar 2nd in the women’s and Malaysia 2nd in the men’s. Women: 1. Jovina Bei Fen Choo & Sara Li Ching Tan (SIN); 2. Sandar Wai Su & Nyo Lin Knin (MYA); 3. Booncherd Duanghathai & Poonsirikot Angkana (THA). Men: 1. Justin Yinman Liou & Sherman Feng Yuan Cheng (SIN); 2. Min Min & La Kyaw Nay (MYA); 3. Emerson Villena & Lester Troy Tayong (PHI).

Singaporeans reject Thai iceberg theory & deep-fried grub 
Apparently the practice races at Pattaya for the SEA Games went ahead satisfactorily in 15 – 18 knots of breeze yesterday and a short, sharp opening ceremony (just what sailors like, we believe!), at which everyone had a good time. The SIN Coach was not so good in the morning when he found his fibreglass and, supposedly, unsinkable Boston Whaler mysteriously submerged (foul play was ruled out, but the sailors wondered if it was a cunning coach's ruse to get closer to the race course under the water!). SingaporeSailing is evidently keen on nutrition as they had to reject food provided by the organisers - “We couldn’t accept the food because it was deep fried,” said team manager Andrew Sanders, who is also SingaporeSailing’s chief executive officer. We were not surprised to learn that the SINs main competition in the 420s is anticipated from Myanmar (who also sent a team to Europe this year). “Unlike international regattas where the fleets are much larger, the fleets in the SEA Games are much smaller, around six per class. So the points will be far closer and tighter and the sailors must adapt to this……although it may not be as big as some other international regattas, the SEA Games is special, and with it comes a lot of expectation and pressure on the sailors to deliver”, Sanders told Tan Yo-Hinn of Singapore’s “Today”. Full stories available on the SingaporeSailing website.

Suria & Basterra and Gemini & Chessa Orru' start first at Imperia 
Agueda Suria Palop of RCN Valencia & Sofia Basterra Moyua of CN El Balis took the first race of the 2007 Imperia Winter Regatta fopr Spain in the Women’s Fleet of 41 entries. Federica Wetzl & Marta Parladori of SV Barcola Grignano took 2nd, while Federica Sciuto & ViolaMonaci of CDV Roma 3rd.

In an Open Fleet of 52 entries, Lorenzo Gemini & Francesco Chessa Orru' of Ass Sport Dil YC won the only race of the day. Vasilis Tsokaras & Alexandros Mogadam of YC Rafina, Greece were 2nd and Ben Saxton & David de Boltz of Grafham Water SC, UK were 3rd.

Gago & Conde challenge Fernandez & Crespo at Palma 
Bruno Gago & Cesar Conde, with the first discard kicking in and another bullet in today’s three races, take the lead, but on countback on equal points with yesterday’s leaders Hugo Fernandez & Sergi Crespo. Both teams are Atlantic sailors from LC Vilagarcía. But will the Galicians be able to resist the challenge from the Balears in home waters? Macià Alemany Porcel (RCN Palma) & Joan Fullana (CV Andraitx), who led for Spain at the 2007 Europeans in Istanbul (6th in the Gold Fleet), also had a good day. They discarded 18 points from the first race yesterday to bring them from 8th overnight to 3rd tonight, but still have an 11 points gap from the leaders. María Canovas Gonzalez & Ana Lobo Ramirez (F.A.C.) still lead for the women and move up to 6th overall.

Images of 420 sailors in action 
We have three major international events running at once and at least three crack photographers on the job!

Nico Martinez - prolific, professional dinghy racing and yachting photographer - is busy at the 57* Trofeo Ciutat de Palma in Mallorca - and images are coming in daily!

At Imperia Winter Regatta, author of the "Sea Book" and marine photographer, Fabio Taccola has already caught the 420 arrivals in the boatpark (while featuring the Lasers on the water at the beginning of the week). We anticipate bringing some of the images of 420s on the water that will be featured in high resolution in the IWR Sea Book 2007 edition.

The Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) sailing events are also about to start. We are not sure whether there will be a photographer on the water, but the Singaporean team have had a skilful (but, so far, anonymous) cameraman on their coach boat at Pattaya in Thailand, reporting back to the SingaporeSailing very informative website, so we hope to be able to "borrow" a few from them too! (thanks, Shu Fen!)

As there are so many Rolling through on the News page at the moment (just keep clicking and coming back!), we will create Photo Galleries as and when we can find the time.

Meanwhile, if you have 420 news, photos or gossip, click on "Submit News / Photos".

Ferrnandez & Crespo lead at Palma 
Hugo Fernandez & Sergi Crespo (LC Vilagarcia) have 4 points after two races on the first day’s racing in the Bay of Palma. Toni Tur Boned & Aleix Selles Vidal (CN Salou) are 2nd on 6 pts, Santi & David Mas Depares (CN El Masnou) 3rd on 9 pts, Xavier Torrens & Xisco Socias (CN Arenal) 4th on 13 pts and Bruno Gago & Cesar Conde (LC Vilagarcia) are 5th on 14 pts.

María Canovas Gonzalez & Ana Lobo Ramirez (F.A.C.) lead the women in 9th overall, on 23 pts!

Kevin Peponnet of France, with a mystery crew (!), is the first “visitor” in 6th place on 15 points.

Ciutat de Palma Day 1 Results

Trofeo Ciutat de Palma declared open 

420s from far and wide roll up in Imperia 
Ciao sailors! Dare il benvenuto alla terra di Olio d'oliva, alla Pasta e alla grande navigazione! (Welcome to the land of Olive Oil, Pasta and great sailing!)

Fabio Taccola has been around the old Port of Oneglia and we will feature some of his images on the Rolling Photos (they will find their way to the Photo Gallery in due course). Anyone with news and gossip is very welcome to "Submit News / Photos" (for any 420 stuff!).

SEA Games: who sails? 
The Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) are a biannual, multi-sport event involving the 11 countries of Southeast Asia. The 24th SEA Games are in Thailand, starting in Saturday. The sailing will be from 6 – 14 December at Ocean Marina YC, Pattaya.

The SEA Games are along ISAF Youth/Olympic lines, with one boat from each country in each Class (although some may not participate in all events), so the points can be tight! We have not found an entry list yet (anyone able to help?). But there is full info. about Singapore's team on SingaporeSailing. So the rest is guesswork for now.

We feel sure that Nay La Kyaw & Min Min and Su Sandar Wai & Khin Nyo Lin of Myanmar will be there. Both were at the Junior Europeans at Medemblik and at the GBR Nationals at Hayling Island in August, with their coach. The men and Su Sandar Wai competed in the 2006 ISAF Youth World Championships; Su Sandar Wai took 7th and Nay La Kyaw & Min Min 15th in their respective fleets. Su Sandar and her crew took 11/77 at the GBR Nationals, and Nay La Kyaw & Min Min, 12th. We hope Emerson Villena & Lester Tayong of the Phillipines, the leading 420 (overall 2nd) at the Hong Kong International Regatta in September, will be there. We also hear that Malaysia have 420 teams entering the event.

But there's a powerful entry from Singapore. Justin Liu & Sherman Chang must be strong favourites in the Men’s. They are the reigning Asian Champions from Doha last year, represented SIN at the 2006 ISAF Youth World Championships (where they conceded a few places to their Myanmar rivals though!). Many 420 sailors worldwide will know these successful 420 sailors from their triumph at the Jnr Euros. Jovina Choo & Sara Tan also competed there, finishing one place ahead of the Myanmar women’s team.

Imperia promises serious competition for sailors preparing for 2008! 
At the Imperia Winter Regatta, we are promised some challenging competition too.

In the women’s competition, top Spanish team, Agueda Suria & Sofia Basterra, in a new partnership, recently took the Women’s top podium place at the French ‘national d’automne’ at Maubuisson (12/121 overall); Agueda is a seasoned helm: Silver at the 2006 ISAF Youths and 4th at this year’s Europeans in Istanbul. But there will be close competition from Tina Lutz & Susann Beucke (GER) who won the Women’s at the Junior Europeans and were 2nd at Imperia in 2006. Home team, Camilla Marino & Claudia Sopricelli were 12th in Istanbul and 10th women in Medemblik. But the substantial Greek entry includes Katerina & Sofia Kaitatsidou who took Silver in Istanbul and Afroditi Kiranakou who helmed the 7th boat at the Women’s Europeans.

The Open competition at Imperia will be hard fought too! Max Trippolt & Julian Meister (Austria) have just taken 3rd place (of the 121 entry) at Maubuisson. The French entry includes the Porez, Louis & Charles, who won Maubuisson, a couple of places ahead of Trippolt/Meister both there and in Medemblik at the Junior Euros. Giovanni Meloni & Alessandro Gemini were 12th at the Junior Euros and 17th at the Europeans, so they should lead the large Italian entry. Again in the Open, the Greeks are coming to Imperia with a large team, and helm, Michalis Stavrou, with a 20th in the Gold Fleet at Medemblik, will surely put up a challenge. We are delighted to see that Lovro Ivanov, who had his 14th birthday at Medemblik, will, with Marko Caric, be representing Croatia at this event

Who will be sailing at Palma? 
The Trofeo Ciutat de Palma - Regata Nova Nou next week has over 50 boats already entered, including three French boats. These include Kevin Pepponnet (YC Basque) & Loic Duchesne (CV Cazaux), who recently took 7th out of an entry of 121 at the French “National d'automne” at Maubuisson (Bordeaux), as well as two boats from the SR Rochelaises – Atlantic challenge to the Med?

The usual large turnout of Spanish boats include Aina Jordi & Marina Bonet from CN S’Arenal, across the Bay of Palma, who were second women in the Spanish Nationals at CV Blanes this year. The Brugman team, Atlantic and Nora (of CV Blanes), who campaigned the Junior Europeans and the GBR Nationals this year, have just finished 2nd women’s team at the French Maubuisson (21/121 overall).

But there will be serious competition amongst the men too – focussing on the Baleares. Macià Alemany & Joan Duran (CV Puerto d'Andratx/CN Porto Cristo), Xavier Torrens & Xisco Socias (CN S'Arenal) and Pedro Marí & Xim Benjumeda (RCN Palma) finished Gold, Silver, Bronze in this year’s Copa de España de la Clase 420 at CN S'Arenal, so these look like favourites. But Adolfo Berrocal Ferrer & Allain Herman (S’Antoni de Portmany) won the Silver Fleet at the Junior Europeans in Medemblik - will these be the rising stars in the Balearics?

Catch up with last year's images from the camera of Nico Martinez in the Photo Gallery: "Ciutat de Palma 2006"

Chile builds its 420 fleet 
Starting out with five old 420s in 2006, the Chile Class Association is expanding big time! José Massapina writes: “they have just bought ten new boats, with the support of the Chile Sailing Federation. And their lead coach, Damian Saponara has just attended the first South American 420 Coaches’ Clinic, led by ISAF Youth Coach, Jim Saltonstall, in Rio de Janeiro”.

Soledad Manubens, Secretary of the Chile 420 Class Association, has been in touch with the website to say: “It`s real, we now have 8 boats in the water and soon there will be 10 sailing. Para el próximo Sudamericano de la Clase 420 el año 2008 pensamos que estaremos presente con al menos 6 barcos de Chile …[we think that we will have about six boats at the South American 420 Championships 2008]….”. They hope to compete in the 2008 ISAF Youths and in Europe next year. We expect to hear more of Chile’s 420 sailors and about sailing in Chile soon; we look forward to their joining in racing on the circuit.

420s en route to events in Asia (Thailand) and Europe (Palma & Imperia) 
OK, we have been featuring a lot of South American stuff since the Campeonata Estado in Rio last week and José journey – and there is more to come! - but, wow, there is more 420 racing coming up elsewhere too! Many 420s are setting off by road and sea to three major events at the beginning of December.

In the Mediterranean, there are the 57th Ciutat de Palma Trophy - Regata Nova Nou , from 6 – 10 December, at the Real Club Náutico de Palma in Mallorca in the Balearics (Spain) and the Imperia Winter Regatta at the Yacht Club Imperia in the Ligurian Sea (North West Italy) from 6 – 9 December.

And then in Asia, from 8 – 14 December, the South East Asian (SEA) Games will be held at the Ocean Marina Yacht Club, Pattaya, Thailand.

We are checking out the available information and will being you notes on the entries and news as we find them, but the event websites are as follows: Ciutat de Palma Trophy, Imperia Winter Regatta and The SEA Games. If you have information, news, photos about events or activities in your country’s 420 Class, please contact us – just click on “Submit News / Photos”

José Massapina visits J Boats and meets 420 builder 
José Massapina, joined by José Tedin and Tomás Ocampo of the Argentinian Class Association, visited J Boats, the 420 builder in Argentina, where they had the opportunity to take a look at the factory. Later in day, they met Roberto Authier, the builder and owner of J Boats, at Club Náutico de Los Olivos. Roberto was competing in the J24 South American Championship, but took time out to discuss the development of the 420 Class in South America, bearing in mind that J Boats continues for the moment to be only 420 builder on the continent of South America.

José Massapina talks 420 development with Argentine sailors 
Hey, has there been excitement in Buenos Aires?! We have had both our sailor correspondents filing reports before our own man! – and he is usually up through the night to keep us up-to-date!

Anyway, José Massapina reports, “a group of 420 sailors from Argentina, led by the [all-sailor] local Class Association, prepared a dinner to receive me. During the dinner the Argentinian sailors spoke about their fleet, the dynamics of the local clubs sailing 420s and the challenges facing the Class. For my part, I was able to describe the development and promotional plans of the International 420 Class, particularly regarding the South America countries. At the end of this meeting, we were both very happy and very confident about the future of International 420 in this continent”.

Ms Tedin is back! 
….and in charge of the Argentine finances…again! Our recent concern about gender balance in the all-sailor Argentine 420 Class Committee was totally misplaced, it seems. We should have known better! Sofi is back! – and sailing too! (with Agus Branz). The 420 Class in Argentina certainly adopt a strategic approach. Having sent her off to study economics (now, we hope, her degree is in the bag), Sofi has been elected Class Treasurer again. With President, Secretary & Treasurer all at the front of the boat, it looks like crews rule OK in Buenos Aires!

Previously Sofi was our Argentine correspondent for the website – a role taken over by Elliot Sucari, who was busy keeping us abreast of all 420 stuff earlier in the year. But we seem to have lost him temporarily…...last heard of deep in international relations (if not sailing ones) and whose brother Francisco & Francisco Renna took 7th at the Istanbul Europeans this year. Anyway, all sounds good in Argentina and looks as though we will be kept well informed about latest gossip. Meanwhile, we learn that the Argentinians are training hard in readiness for the round of big events in South America in the new year and with Athens firmly in their sights!

José meets José in Buenos Aires 
José Massapina, on his programme to support development of the Class in South America, has been on the move again!

Yesterday, he was welcomed in Buenos Aires by the newly elected President of the Argentine 420 Class, José Tedin, together with the former President, Tomás Ocampo, now the Class Secretary. Our José was very impressed at finding a very dynamic and responsible Class organisation, composed of youth and university sailors. The Argentine 420 Class is well established and has a good track-record of producing some excellent sailors. They are looking forward to bid for the organisation of a major 420 event and contributing further to the development of the Class in South America.

The Yacht Club Argentino, venue for many international events, including the 2007 South American 420 Championships, is the place for discussions that José Massapina is having with colleagues regarding the development of the Class. Juan Tedin and Marcel Bacqué, members of the YCA Executive Committee, were on hand to join the 420 Association representatives in welcoming José on his arrival. See photographs – smart suits, guys, and a cool tie too, Tomás!

[sometimes it gets boring at 420 website HQ and your editor has a wicked thought. The Argentine and the Swiss 420 Class Committees are both totally made up of youth sailors in the Class. Sadly (since Sofi Tedin moved on at uni), the Argentine Committee seem to be mostly men, whereas the Swiss Committee are mostly women – could there be a solution here?! But its different on the water! Have you seen those Travascio sisters, Victoria & Mercedes - current 420 Champions of South America? Awesome! – see you at the Worlds in Athens guys!]

420 coaches and sailors challenge Jim and José! 
Yesterday, 19 November, after the closure of the 1st South America Coaches Seminar, a group of young coaches and sailors challenged Jim Saltonstall and José Massapina to climb the first mountain of the well-known Sugar Loaf at Rio de Janeiro. If they were thinking that the older guys would refuse, they were wrong! It has been hard, but, after forty minutes of effort, the whole team arrived safe at the top. The ‘trophy’ for the group was the fantastic view over Rio city that they lay before them. A great end to an excellent event working together at the Iate Clube de Rio de Janeiro

Novo Presidente da Associação Brasileira de Classe 420 
The Brasilian 420 Class Association have recently elected a new President to take over from Sylvia Adler Pimentel Duarte. The International Class take the opportunity to thank Sylvia Adler for all her hard work over several years in developing the 420 Class in Brazil, most recently in leading the local organisation, with Ricardo Baggio de Carvalho, of the first 420 Class South American Coaches’ Clinic at the Iate Clube de Rio de Janeiro.

We are pleased to announce that the new (420) President is Andréa Nicolino de Sá, who now takes over the lead of the 420 Class in Brazil. José Massapina, Vice President of the International Class, visiting Rio de Janeiro for the recent Coaches’ Clinic and for discussions on developing the Class in several South American countries, welcomed the new President (we spotted them in the boatpark admiring a fetching pink 420 spinnaker – see photo). He said, “I am looking forward to working with Andréa, and I am sure that the development of the Class in Brazil continues in good hands!”

Campeonato do Estado do Rio de Janeiro de 2007 da Classe 420 
The final report from Iate Clube do Rio de Janeiro is attached - we provide our English version below the Portuguese original [apologies to the author! - ed].

Galvanese & Cardial win in Rio 
Fábio Melchert Galvanese & Fernando A. de O. Cardial (YC Santo Amaro) won the Campeonato Estadual at Iate Clube do Rio de Janeiro on 18 points, with first Women’s teams, Ana J. Jungen & Kahena Kunze of YC Rio de Janeiro 2nd on 23 pts and Juliana Senfft & Gabriela Sá of YC Brazil 3rd on 27 pts.

Update from our man in Rio at the 420 Coaches’ Seminar 
José Massapina is keeping us up-to-date on news from sunny (today) Rio: “The seminar is running, with good weather now and with all the coaches and sailors very happy with this development action by the International 420 Class Association.

“This 420 coaches seminar has among the participants an Olympic medallist who is now managing the Yacht Club of Niteroi, in the southern part of Baia de Guanabara, Rio de Janeiro. He is Ronaldo Senfft, a Soling medallist, former crew of the well known Torben Grael.

“We had also been chatting with Robert Scheid, the famous sailor from this Club (Iate Clube do Rio de Janeiro), about the 420 Class and its development in South America.”

Photographs are coming through and will be posted on the news as soon as possible.

Massapina & Saltonstall in Rio 
Class Vice President (and development officer), José Massapina writes from Iate Clube do Rio de Janeiro:
“I'm in Rio with Jim Saltonstall, running the Coaches’ Clinic (a first for the Class in South America)…..the clinic has started yesterday and will take place until Monday the 19th of November. We have 18 coaches attending, from Argentina, Brazil, Chile and México, and it is going very well. Yesterday and this morning we had theoretical sessions (the weather was terrible yesterday, raining), and this afternoon we did an overview of the 420 State of Rio de Janeiro Championship (like we did at the Junior Eruropeans in Medemblik), so tomorrow (Sunday) morning, before the kids go to sea, we will have a debrief and discussion between the coaches and the sailors, using the video taken today.

“On the 21st of November, I will go to Buenos Aires in Argentina, because it is close from Brazil, to do a visit to the clubs and to speak with coaches, sailors and managers about the development of our Class.“

Galvanese & Cardial lead Campeonato Estadual in Rio 
Fábio Melchert Galvanese & Fernando A. de O. Cardial, with 5 bullets and 12 points, had a 9 point lead over the first Women’s team, Ana J. Jungen & Kahena Kunze, with Felipe Haddad & Nicolas Ilg one further point behind in 3rd place. The Championship concludes today (Sunday)

News from Estoril 
Last week the annual ISAF meeting took place in Lisbon, with delegates attending from around the world.
Of particular interest to the International 420 Class is the choice of Olympic disciplines for 2012, with the two-person dinghy remaining for both men and women.

It is also very pleasing to see that the International 420 has been chosen as the two person discipline for the ISAF Youth Worlds to be held in Turkey in 2010. Following the same choice by Brazil for 2009, this shows the strong position the class holds for youth sailors world-wide. We now look forward to 2011 when the ISAF Youth Worlds will be held in Zadar, Croatia - the venue for next year's Junior European Championships.

Rusden & Williams win GBR End of Season 
James Rusden (current British Champion helm) & Joe Williams won GBRs End of Season regatta at Grafham Water SC by 5 points from Peter Irwin & David Kohler (15 pts), Ben Saxton & David de Boltz (18 pts), Stephen Tiernan & Rob Lehane (IRL) (19 pts) and Matt Rainback & Simon Foskett (21 pts). Alison Rumball & Niamh O’Connell (IRL) (10th overall) were first women’s boat, followed by Becca Kalderon & Rosie Sibthorp (42 pts) and Sarah & Catherine Alton (46 pts). Six boats travelled from Ireland to add to the competition at this 50-boat event.

The Perez triumph at Maubuisson 
Louis & Charles Perez took the XXXVIII Grand Prix de l'Armistice on Lac de Carcans, Maubuisson, France. The French 420 “National d'automne” attracts a large international entry: of 121 overall, 23 came from Spain and other from Austria, Greece, Italy, Sweden and Switzerland.

Sailing must have been close! Louis & Charles Perez - 2nd on Friday night, 9th overnight into Sunday - had 3-1-2 on the last day to take the Championship by 7 points. Gabriel Skoczek & Thibaut Soler, Bronze at the 2007 Junior Euros, were in top-5 contention throughot and leaders into the final day, but had to settle for Silver on 37 points. Max Trippolt & Julian Meister led the international challenge for Austria, taking Bronze with 39 points!

Suria Agueda, of RCN Valencia & Silver medallist helm at the 2006 ISAF Youths, sailing with new crew, Sofia Asterra had a 3rd in Race 3 and a bullet in R6, to be 12th overall with a 4 point lead in the women’s ranking.

Lead Results:
1 Louis & Charles Perez (YC Antibes) (30 pts)
2 Gabriel Skoczek Bernard & Thibaut Soler (YC Mauguio Carnon) (37)
3 Max Trippolt & Julian Meister (AUT) (YC Bregenz) (39)
4 Martin Bertrand & Emile Trevisanut (EN Agde du Cap) (43)
5 Damien Brenac (SN Bandol) & Julien Lacaze (YC Antibes) (45)
6 Maxime Garbay & Achille Nebout Javal (YC Mauguio Carnon) (53)
7 Kevin Peponnet (YC Basque) & Loic Duschene Ferchal (CV Cazaux Lac) (56)
8 Pierre Petetin & Yvan Beckius (SN de Sanary) (61)
9 Toni Tur Boned & Aleix Selles Vidal (ESP) SN de Salou (63)
10 Vincent Geniteau (CV St Quentin) & Zoe Poncelet (VGA St Maur Voile) (67)
11 Gillaume Lecointre & edric Mary (CV St Quentin) (72)
12 uria Agueda & Sofia Asterra (ESP) (RCN Valencia) (78)
13 Michel Ferrari & Matteo Raveglia (ITA) (AVAL-CDV, Como) (91)
14 Fanis Kavas & Vangelis Mitakis (GRE) (NC Grece) (94)
15 Sacha Pelisson (YC Cavalaire) & Nicolas Rossi (YC Antibes) (100)
19 Cecile Gutierrez (CN Antibes) & Jade Festino (YC Villeneuve L) (130)
21 Atlantic & Nora Brugman Cabot (ESP) (132)

1st South American Coaches Seminar 
Calling all 420 Coaches

At the last General Assembly in Istanbul we informed you that we would be holding the 1st South America Seminar for Coaches. This has now been arranged and will take place from 16th to 19th of November 2007 in Iate Clube do Rio de Janeiro - Brazil. The costs of the seminar, accommodation and meals are all being met by the International 420 Class Association and Iate Clube do Rio de Janeiro. All you need to cover is the transport costs.

The lead coach for the seminar is Jim Saltonstall M.B.E. whom many of you will know as the ISAF Youth World Sailing Trust Coach at the ISAF Youth World Championships.

Places at this clinic will be limited and so we suggest that applications are made as soon as possible.

Ed Butler & Daniel McCarthy win Irish End of Season 
Saturday’s racing at Lough Derg YC for the Irish 420 Class End of Season Regatta was blessed with a South Westerly breeze, a long course and three amazing races, in variable and shifty conditions. On the the second day, the racing had to be abandoned due to the weather conditions. Ed Butler & Daniel McCarthy and Stephen Tiernan & Rob Lehane had a great duel, and Ed & Daniel won by one point with a 1-1-2 to Stephen & Rob’s 2-2-1. Tim Ó Laoire & Brian Kelleher were 3rd, Jack Costigan & Iralaith Kennedy 4th, while Alyson Rumball & Niamh O’Connel, in fifth, were the leading women’s boat. Results attached above.

French 420s on their way to Athens 2008!…..via Maubuisson 2007 
The big event each autumn in France is at “Maubuisson”, the 420 Class’ ‘National d'automne’. From 1 to 4 November, 420s from across France and beyond will converge on Cercle de la Voile de Bordeaux - Carcans Maubuisson for the 38ème Grand Prix de l'Armistice. See Notice of Race.

Christian Berhault , the President of the French 420 Class wrote on the Uniqua France website on 15 October: “Maubuisson dans 15 jours ... Dans 15 jours déjà Maubuisson … et le début des sélections pour Athènes (Championnat du Monde 2008). Le National d’automne est également et surtout l’occasion d’accueillir les plus jeunes dans notre série. Alors soyez indulgent et aidez les à découvrir le 420 dans les meilleures conditions……”.

Swiss have too much wind for Nationals! 
Chef Régate, Alexa Bezel says: “I'm just back from Versoix! We had three days of wind between 6 and 9 Bft... with the temperature about 7*! Too much wind and too cold to sail :( So now our Championship isn`t valid, because there should have been four races to be valid. I think this is the first time in Swiss history that it (sailing is cancelled) because of too much wind...!”

CN Versoix put it this way: “A 11h30, un tirage au sort décide de l'attribution des prix, une partie de la finance d'inscription est remboursée aux concurrents et un verre de l'amitié clôture ce championnat. Merci à tous et à bientôt pour d'autres régates.

“A 11h00, le comité annule les régates du jour. Aucun des membres de Swiss Sailing, du Jury ou du CNV ne se souvient d'un championnat annulé pour cause de vent trop fort et sans aucune manche! Une première qui conforte la position du CNV comme un des plans d'eau les plus ventés de suisse.”

We think this means it was a big surprise all round, but everyone got a glass of friendship....'un verre de l'amitié clôture ce championnat' sounds much better! ....anyway, hopefully they will have some snow for skiing soon!

Oops! International incident threatens. We hear that Alexa has been promoted to President! (of the Swiss 420s, that is) ....and Sophie Masmejan is going sailing single-handed! Surely not!! Congratulations to Ms Bezel.

Team North Sails, Isivungu and Bishops to do battle on the Zeekoe Vlei 
A special 420 event to start the South African sailing season, sponsored by North Sails (and with North Sails staff sailing! – maybe an idea here for other sailmakers to follow!) has been arranged for this Sunday, 14 October – at Zeekoevlei Yacht Club, near Cape Town. The Bishops' (school) and Isivungu Teams will be there, together with other boats from the new SA fleet. The 420 Class having been accepted for the SA Youth Nationals in December, this will be a key preparation opportunity. If all this doesn’t make total sense to the rest of us, go to 420 Goes Africa for the pioneering story of how 420s have come to Southern Africa.

420s take 2nd & 3rd at Hong Kong International Open 
Emerson Villena & Lester Tayong of the Phillipines took second overall in the Open division of the Hong Kong Sailing Federation’s 2007 International Open Dinghy Regatta (Ridgely Balladares & Rommel Chavez (PHI) won the event in a 470) and Eva Leung & Cheng Sze Kei of Hong Kong were 1st women and 3rd overall. Fuller report on Sail-World.com .

Preliminary Notices of Race Published 
The preliminary Notices of Race for the World Championships and the Junior European Championships 2008 have now been published on the events page of the web site.

2008 Event Dates Confirmed 
The dates for the International World Championships in Athens, Greece have been confirmed as 22nd to 31st July 2008 and the Junior Europeans in Zadar, Croatia, will be held from 7th to 15th August 2008.

Preliminary Notices of Race will be published shortly.

Tarragona Coaching Clinic 
An international coaching clinic for 420s is to be held in Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain from 27th to 30th December 2007. All 420s are invited to attend. Please follow the link for further information.

Belis & Blu 2007 Belgian Champs 
Jeroen Belis & Arnaud Blij won the Belgian Open Championship at Nieuwpoort, four points ahead of the Women’s leaders Katinka van Lear & Charlotte Martot

Kurtin & Uhoda 2007 Croatian Champions 
Kasia Kurtin & Marija Uhoda at home at Uskok, Zadar (venue for the 2008 Junior Europeans) won the Croatian Open Championship by two points from their fellow club members, Lovro Ivanov & Marko Cariæ (in the circumstances, we have kept Lovro's birthday pic from the Junior Euros at Medemblik up on the Rolling Photos for another week!)

Verdino & Brizuela triumph at Campeonato Argentino 
Francisco Sucari & Francisco Renna, following their 7th place in the 420 Europeans in Istanbul in July, were on good form with 30 points, but not quite good enough to take their rivals, Bruno Verdino & Tirso Sanchez Brizuela, the 2007 Argentine Champions, by 11 points. Well known women’s campaigners, Agustina Branz & Sofia Tedin, took third on 40 pts, newer to the 420, Pablo Volker & Nicolas Aragones, were 4th on 45 pts and Gonzalo Amuchastegui & Agustin Zappacosta were 5th on 49 pts

After four days of racing, with excellent conditions, the Argentine Championship organized by the yacht Club Olives was finalised. In spite of the cold, there were a good number of participants, and the fleet achieved a good standard. The consistency of the more experienced was noted, but there were also some surprises in the top positions
Training starts now for the Gran Prix Internacional Luuis A. Cerrato later in the month. A full gallery of photographs by Gabriel Palmioli can be found on www.elojonautico.com .

“Después de cuatro días de regatas, con condiciones excelentes, se dió por finalizado el Campeonato Argentino organizado por el Club Náutico Olivos. A pesar del frío, la flota se presentó en gran numero y mostró un buen nivel. Se notó la constancia de los más experimentados, pero también hubo sorpresa en punta……Ahora, se viene casi un mes de entrenamiento de cara al Gran Prix Internacional Luis. A Cerrato.”

Rusdens new British 420 Champions 
James & Will Rusden have just won the 2007 British National Championship, with Imogen Stanley & Kate Macgregor, the new Women's Champions, in 2nd and Tim Saxton & Claire Lasko in 3rd. For full results click above and for more details go to the Event Website, via GBR 420 Class Website

Laulanet & Gayon and Berthez & Herley triumph at Brest 
Vincent Berthez & Thinaut Herley (SR Rochelaises) won the Championnat de France Espoirs (420) with a 12 point lead over Brice Marco (SN P H) & Jeremie Mion (Cergy Voile 95), who held off Damien Brenac (YC Antibes) & Vincent Guillarm (USAM Voile) into third place.

In the Women’s Championship, Marina Laulanet & Mathilde Gayon (SN P H) held their lead and won with 5 points to spare. Cassandre Blandin (SNO Nantes) & Katell Poiron (CN Brignogan Plage) had another bullet oin the final day to keep 2nd place and Marion Bodenes (CVL Aber Wrach) & Maeva Le Bihan (SR Brest) were third.

Laulanet & Gayon consolidate lead at Brest 
Marina Laulanet & Mathilde Gayon (SN P H) are building their lead in the women’s fleet at the Championnat de France Espoirs at Brest.with ten-points between them and Cassandre Blandin (SNO Nantes) & Katell Poiron (CN Brignogan Plage), on 24 points after three races today (Thursday). Marion Bodenes (CVL Aber Wrach) & Maeva Le Bihan (SR Brest) retain their 3rd place tonight on 26 points, but only one point ahead of Nerea Pepponet & Marion Bouillerce (YC Basque), who are eleven-points ahead of Julia Chaulet (YC Antibes) & Jade Festing (YC Villeneuve). All to be decided in the remaining races of the championship on Friday.

The Rochelaises take the lead in the mixed fleet at Brest 
With eight races completed by Thursday evening, Vincent Berthez & Thinaut Herley (SR Rochelaises) now have a six-point lead over Brice Marco (SN P H) & Jeremie Mion (Cergy Voile 95) on 20 pts. Damien Brenac (YC Antibes) & Vincent Guillarm (USAM Voile) retain their 3rd place on 26 pts, 13 points ahead of the next team, Maxime Garbay & Thomas Haddouche (YC Mauguio Carnon). Romain Marie & Logan Verchy, in 5th overall with 41 points, scored a bullet in the second race of the day to keep their fellow Rochelaises, who won races 1 and 3, on their toes!

British Nationals get back on track 
The British National Championships started on Monday at Hayling Island SC, but, after two races on the first day, there was no sailing on Tuesday and Wednesday due to winds averaging 25 knots, with gusts up to 35 knots. With cold Northerlies, it was not possible to race in Chichester Harbour, instead of Hayling Bay either. No snow apparently, but last night's BBQ moved indoors! Anyway, back racing today (Thursday) with the pressure on the Race Committee to maximise the number of races today and tomorrow. News is provided live on the event website, via the GBR Class link above.

Marco & Mion and Laulanet & Gayon lead at Brest 
Brice Marco (SN P H) & Jérémie Mion (Cergy Voile 95) lead, on countback, from Vincent Berthez & Thinaut Herley (SR Rochelaises) after five races in the Championnat de France Espoirs Solitaires et Equipages at Brest. Damien Brenac (YC Antibes) & Vincent Guillarm (USAM Voile) in 3rd are one point behind on 8 pts. But this leading pack is 13 points ahead of the next team.

In the Women’s Championship, Marina Laulanet & Mathilde Gayon (SN P H) retain the lead after 5 races on 6 points, 7 points ahead of the next two teams. Cassandre Blandin (SNO Nantes) & Katell Poiron (CN Brignogan Plage) are in 2nd, on countback, from Marion Bodenes (CVL Aber Wrach) & Maeva Le Bihan (SR Brest)

Championnat de France Espoirs 
After three races, Vincent Berthez & Thibault Heurley are leading the Le Championnat de France Espoirs at Brest. Only one point behind are Damien Brenac of YC Antibes & Vincent Guillaume of USAM Voile, while Maxime Garbay & Thomas Haddouche of YC Mauguio Carnon are in third. In e the Women’s Championship, Marina Laulzanet & Mathilde Gayon of SN P H lead but on equal points with both Cassandre Blandin of SNO Nantes & Katell Poiron of CN Brignogan Plage and Marion Bodenes of CVL Aber Wrach & Maeva Le Bihan of SR Brest. Early in the Championship, with three more days racing planned.

Campeonato Argentino 2007 
Comenzó el Campeonato Argentino en aguas de Olivos. Fueron tres días de regatas con condiciones diversas. La flota mostró un gran nivel, y luego de 9 regatas corridas, la punta del campeonato quedó muy cercana en puntos.
Principales posiciones:
1° Verdino-Sanchez Brizuela
2° Sucari-Renna
3° Branz-Tedin
4° Travascio-Travascio
5° Amuchastegui-Zappacosta
El sábado termina el campeonato. Se esperan tres duras regatas donde todo esta en juego.

The Argentine Championship has began in the waters of Club Náutico Olivos, Buenos Aires. There were three days of boat races in diverse conditions. The fleet showed a great level, and, after nine races, the championship remains close. On Saturday (25 Aug), the championship finishes, with three more races expected – all to play for!

Following their triumphant return from the 420 Europeans in Istanbul, where they took 7th place in a very competitive field, Francisco Sucari & Francisco Renna have some work to do to beat their fellow Istanbul competitors, Bruno Verdino & Tirso Sanchez. Watch this space!These Argentinian 420 sailors are great communicators too! – check their blog, we detect Elliot Sucari and Sofi Tedin have had a hand here!

Final results published 
Final Results - Gold and Final Results - Silver

Champions on the podium 
We feature images of the Gold Winners, the Junior European Champions and the Ladies Champions pending receipt of the professionals' photos. Meanwhile, the pics tell the story! (the special award is to the youngest team in the Championships, from Croatia)

Silver winners look back with some satisfaction! 
Adolfo Ferrer & Allain Herman, Balearic sailors from the Spanish Island of Ibitha(well known to regular visitors to the Intl 420 website due to their photogenic qualities) were ruminating on the Championships while they waited in the boat park for the prizegiving. The Qualifiers were not so good. The first day was OK, but then the "lips" came away, and we sailed all three races on day 2 without them [we think that "lips" is a special Spanish phrase for slot gasket! ed]. But for the rest we went really fast and we have had a good lead in the Silver fleet", said helm Adolfo Ferrer. Allain, our special Spanish correspondent and winning crew added their commentrs about sailing in the Netherlands after the baleartics: "It is really cold, but the sind is always perfect [!]."

Provisional final Results 
Gold
Justin Liu & Sherman Cheng (SIN) 1st on 28 points. Tom Gillard & Sam Brearey (GBR) 2nd - 45 points; Jonny Moss & Ben Muskett 3rd - 53 pts; Gabriel Scoczek & Thibaut Soler (FRA) 3rd - 58 pts; Federico Maccari & Vitali Rocco (ITA) 4th - 71 pts; Tim Saxton & Claire Lasko (GBR) 5th - 85 pts.

Ladies: Tina Lutz & Susann Beucke (GER) 1st (9th overall) on 99 points; Nina Keizer & Anneloes van Veen (NED) 2nd ((17th) on 136 pts; Imogen Stanley & Kate Macgregor (GBR) 3rd (18th) on 140 pts.

Silver
Aolfo Berrocal Ferrer & Allain Herman 1st on 22 points; Philipp Autenrieth & Christian Pulz (GER) 2nd on 46 and Vasilis Tsokara & Marios Petrogonas (GRE) 3rd on 60 points. Afroditi Kyranakou & Danae Pashou (GRE) 4th and 1st Ladies on 74 points

Running sailors tells the tale.....Gold fleet no more racing 
14.00: No further 420 racing (470 Meadal Race still to go).

Silver Fleet - no further racing 
13.30: The Silver Fleet will not return to the water for any further racing. Gold fleet still waiting.

Waiting......and talking! 
13.00: All boats back on shore. 470s will not race again, except for the Medal Race. A decision is awaited for the 420s. A lot of calculating going on around the boat park.

Much talk about the 40* wind shift in the races this morning.Alison Rumball & Nieve Connell (IRL) came off the water dry!! "We were doing so good - and then this big shift came...but we didn't capsize!!!" - unlike manty others apparently. Our special correspondent, John Veldman, went out as a Measurer and came back having been on safety stand-by. "Our job was to check boats and we found no infringements, but even the Measurers must be ready for rescure. The wind was strong and stronger, with the waves building fast".

Su Sandar Wai (of Wai & Khin Nyo Lin 0f Myamar) said "I saw the shift and we came through great. Then we capsized on the next shift!!". We left the MYA coach having a discussion with his team about this! (earnest to the end!).

Tim Saxton & Claire Lasko were cautiously celebrating: "We had been running about tenth from the back, and then we saw this shift coming in - we did not realise how big it was - but we used it and ended the race eigth from the front!", said Tim.

Boats sent in after 1st race 
with winds gusting up to 30 knots in the middle of the IJsselmeer and one race completed for both fleets, the 420s are being sent back to the shore (12.30). No decision yet regarding further racing. 470s already in (awaiting medal race).

Last day – Rainy but sailable conditions 
Diana Bogaards, Sailing Journalist and Event PRO writes: "It is a very wet morning in Medemblik with a variable westerly wind. The 420 sailors are out on the IJsselmeer, waiting for their first starting gun. Some of them left the harbour with the umbrella up in the air. There are three races scheduled for the 420 class. The 470 teams will have one race left, which is the Medal Race for the top ten.

"According to the radar, it will stop raining at about 11:00 AM."

Well. its 11.00 am now and still pretty damp on shore - the flags a bit limp! The PRO tells us that the wind "is very changeable - both in strength and direction....not that strong"

Tough racing on Tuesday: again changes at the top 
Diana Bogaards, Sailing Journalist and Event PRO writes: “On Tuesday August 14 2007, it was tough racing for the 233 participants at the Junior Europeans 420/470, sponsored by Valk Weling. The increasing southwester was a bit more stable than yesterday. Although the conditions on the 420 and 470 courses on the IJsselmeer off Medemblik (NED), were slightly different. The 420-class sailed closer to the shore with an offshore wind, which resulted in more gusts…….. Unlike the steady top ranking in the 470, the 420 podium positions show much more variation. Today's changes also have to do with the discard, which made some teams climb up the leader board. Liu and Cheng from Singapore performed very consistently with a series of 2-4-2 and took the lead”. For full report, click above.

Medemblik - Fifth day – Interesting weather change 
Diana Bogaards, Sailing Journalist and Event PRO writes: 'It is a different morning. A bit chilly and cloudy. There is a light breeze from the south, which will shift to the south-southeast in the afternoon. It will also increase to force four and more on the IJsselmeer, which will lead up to a windy Wednesday. That is the weather forecast, so it is going to be an interesting day.'

Playing the shifts 
Diana Bogaards, Sailing Journalist and Event PRO writes: ‘On Monday August 13 2007, the final series of the Junior Europeans 420/470 started with great difficulty on the IJsselmeer (NED). The increasing west-south-westerly breeze was unstable and resulted in heavily favoured sides of the course. Yesterday's class leaders dropped in the overall standing. Others gained a lot………In the 420-class, the Italians Maccari and Rocco moved up to the first place. The German girls Lutz and Beucke go for two medals. Gold in the girl's competition and bronze in the overall ranking…..(former 420 Ladies’ World Champion and reigning Junior European Ladies’ Champion, Hannah Mills, with Katrina Hughes) are still the best 470 female crew. Both classes completed three races and the Holmatro Extreme 40 put up its last show in front of the Regatta Center Medemblik. For full text, click above.

Happy birthday, Lovro 
There seem to be a lot of birthdays here at Medemblik this week (the GBR team today nearly flew out to the race course with all their balloons!), but a special mention must go to Croatian team member, Lovro Ivanov, helm of CRO51254, who is 14 today - one of our youngest competitors (well, we think Jonathan Czeizel of HUN52365 is the youngest). Have a great day, Lovro!

Sailors and coaches talk about the Qualifying Series at Medemblik 

“Italians rule the waves” 
Diana Bogaards, Sailing Journalist and Event PRO writes: “The…teams faced lighter conditions with a north-easterly breeze of about 13 knots and clear skies….. completed three races with a pretty close competition….After a long day on the water, the youth sailors were invited for a trip on the Holmatro Extreme 40 catamaran. While flying one hull, this beast put up a great show in front of the Regatta Center Medemblik”. Diana’s report on the 420 races today is attached (click above)

Provisional Results (Qualifying Series): 
1 Simon Sivitz Kosuta & Jas Farneti (ITA) 8,0
2 Federico Maccari & Vitali Rocco (ITA) 17,0
3 Thibaut Soler & Gabriel Skoczek(FRA) 20,0
4 Justin Liu & Sherman Cheng (SIN) 26,0
5 Ben Saxton & James Foskett (GBR) 27,0
6 Jonny Moss & Ben Muskett (GBR) 27,0
7 Lior Lavie & Gadi Logoboi (ISR) 35,0
8 Mihalis Stavrou & Stathis Papadopoulos (GRE) 36,0
9 Peter Irwin & David Kohler (GBR) 39,0
10 Jaco Plazzi & Enrico Stella (ITA) 40,0

Women:
1 Tina Lutz & Susann Beucke (GER) 57,0 (overall 13th)
2 Imogen Stanley & Kate Macgregor (GBR) 58,0 (14th)
3 Susannah Pyatt & Danielle Bowater (NZL) 69,0 (24th)
4 Daniela Grathwohl & Melanie Bentele (GER) 71,0 (25th)
5 Priscilla & Cecilia Low (SIN) 75,0 (28th)

Saxton/Foskett take over lead in 420 after 4 races 
No sign of any results being posttyed on the Event Website as at 15.10 Saturday,
but the following news item has appeared, so someone has access to them!
‘We also received the results of today’s first 420 race. We see some big changes here as well. Ben Saxton and James Foskett from the UK have taken over the lead after four races, followed by Maccari and Rocco from Italy and Moss/Muskett from the UK. So there is a complete new top three. The female team Rarino/Soricelli from Italy took surprisingly a bullet after having scored a 31-52-46 in previous races. The 420 fleet has started the third race at the moment.’

420 - Portuguese and Dutch leaders 
Excerpt from Event Press release after Day 1: 'The Dutch girls Nina Keijzer and Anneloes van Veen shouted for joy when they crossed today's second finish. The first bullet was theirs. Van Veen enthusiastically: "That race was super cool. We extended our lead, which the boys didn't like. But afterwards, they came to congratulate us." They are in tenth position overall with a series of 9-1-11. Van Veen: "We also went fast in the other two races, but to the wrong direction. We sailed against the wind shifts." The second girls' team of Tina Lutz and Susann Beucke (GER) has a fourteenth position overall. Lutz won the IODA World title Optimist in 2005. Her crew Beucke about their goal in Medemblik: "We have sailed together since March. We choose this event, because we can compete against the boys and their level is much higher. We are not here to win, but to learn as much as possible." That is different for the current leaders Bernardo Freitas and Manuel Arriaga from Portugal. They were consistent in the top with a series of 1-2-2, followed by the Italians Simon Sivitz Kosuta and Jas Farneti. Kosuta and Farneti won bronze at the 420 Europeans in Istanbul. The Germans Tim Elsner and Leon Bischoff-Everding took two bullets and finished sixth. Elsner: "We had a great day. Our speed and preparations were good." According to the German skipper there are more favourites for the title, as the top is broad. "But we would like to finish within the first ten."
'On Saturday August 11, the 420-participants will sail the last three qualification races, followed by a lay day. Tomorrow, there are two races scheduled for the 470-class and two more on Sunday. From Monday, the battle for the medals will continue in the gold, silver and bronze fleets. '

Portugal lead on Day 1 at the Junior Europeans 
Bernardo Freitas & Manuel Arriaga (POR) lead after the first three races of the Qualifying Series for the 420 Junior Europeans today here at Medemblik. Simon Sivitz Kosuta & Jas Farneti (ITA), following their recent bronze at the Europeans in Istanbul, are lying 2nd. Tim Elsner & Leon Bischoff-Everding (GER) 3rd and Ben Saxton & James Foskett are 4th, on equal points.

Our farewell to Istanbul 
We report on the Closing Ceremony from the 2007 Europeans and thank all our friends in Turkey for a great event (click above). Invite us back soon, please!

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

European Championships 2007 
Final Results - Gold

Final Results - Ladies

Final Results - Silver

Leadership changes in the Ladies' and Silver Fleets, while the Italians strengthen their lead in the Gold Fleet 

Competition intensifies at the top, but with some excellent mid-fleet results in Istanbul 

Tuesday morning 
No launching yet (11.30am), boats on the shore with a postponement. PRO tells us that there is an easterly on the race area and a northerly here at the Race Office, so she is waiting for the wind to settle down. Sailors relaxing in the shade!

12.30 - Launch!

Long day on the sea at Istanbul 

Excellent racing on Day 2 on the Bosphorus 
Racing today (Saturday) in Kalanis Bay on the Bosphorous was described as “fantastic”. The open fleet concluded their qualifying rounds with a further three races in winds around 15 knots, in a fairly flat sea.

Imke Brockerhoff & Annika Storck (GER) extended their lead in the Ladies’ Championships, whilst Theresa Majer & Linda Weber (GER) overtook their team-mates to take 2nd place. Katerina & Sofia Kaitatzidou (GRE) moved up from 9th to 3rd.

New Zealand’s Susannah Pyatt & Danielle Bowater came off the water declaring this a better day…..conditions were “patchy”, with “bigger shifts and variable wind speed”.

German coach, Henrik Ismar, pleased with a good day for his sailors, especially the women’s boats, said there had been “fantastic racing” and that the Race Committee had done “an excellent job”. Asked about his team’s plans for tomorrow’s lay day, he was heard to murmur something about the Grand Bazaar and shopping!

All change at the top tonight! Following the application of the first discard, Antonio Pereira & Alfonso Prieto (POR) move from 9th yesterday into the top slot. Edoardo Mancinelli Scotti & Lorenze de Felice (ITA) move into second place, ahead of Perdo Mari & Xim Benjumeda (ESP).

Argentine helm, Francesco Sucari, said “If you were amongst the leaders, you never knew until the line who was winning!”. Commenting on the venue, Francesco said, “this place is really good, I’m looking forward to the lay day”.

GBR coach, Mark Plummer, referred to tricky and shifty conditions giving rise to some “really good racing”.

The open fleet have now completed their qualifying races and divide into gold and silver fleets for the final series which start on Monday. All the teams, coaches, officials and supporters look forward to a well-earned lay day in this great city.

Mark Roundings 
From today (Saturday), Istanbul Sailing Club are providing a mark rounding and top-five finishers for each race. Good, eh?!

Racing gets underway in Istanbul 
The International 420 European Championships got underway to an excellent start at Istanbul on Friday, with eight races sailed. In the open competition, boats are divided into four flights, for the qualifying series, which leads to division into gold and silver fleets after further races today. Three races were sailed, as planned, with the women’s fleet sailing two races of their Championship.

Sailing was in 15 – 18 knots, with some small shifts. In this very busy shipping area, the Coastguard protected the course from fast ferries and other commercial craft.

At this early stage in the open competition, there are particular strong showings from the teams of Germany, Great Britain and Greece. Tom Gillard & Sam Brearey (GBR) lead overall from Neoclaras Macarios & Oretis Tsang (GRE).

In the Ladies’ Championship, sailing at the top is very close, with 1 point separating each of the top three pairs, 11 points clear of the rest of the fleet. Imke Brockerhoff & Annika Storck (GER) lead from Claire Walsh & Jasmine Husband (GBR) with Katya Muller & Sandra-Mira Boschert (GER) in third place. In the second of the women’s races, thirteen boats were black flagged – possibly a learning point here for the rest of the Championships!

Sailing gets underway 
The weather in Istanbul has played it’s part to perfection in the run up to the start of the International 420 Class European and Ladies European Championships. 64 entries in the Open fleet and 54 boats in the Ladies Championship have now been registered and measured.

The opening ceremony took place in calm, warm conditions with sailors and guests enjoying parades, music, fireworks and a spectacular display of fire-dancing followed by a little fully-clothed action in the swimming pool.

Overnight the temperature started to drop and the wind began to rise. The practise race saw challenging winds of 20 to 25 knots and medium seas, with both fleets having to work hard to complete the course. With conditions expected to remain this way for the start of the championships, this promises to be an excellent event.

International 420 Class Open and Ladies Championships 2007 
Clear blue skies and soaring temperatures met the sailors arriving in Istanbul for Championships. The event is being organised by the Turkish Sailing Federation and hosted by the Istanbul Sailing Club / Yelken Kulübü.

Measurement is well under way. There were some challenges for the boats that have come from the colder parts of northern Europe, in particular due to expansion of metal in the intense heat.

Entries have been received from 15 countries including Argentina and New Zealand, with 64 boats registered in the Open Fleet and 54 in the Women’s. Fierce competition is expected among the sailors of this very competitive class. With national champions from around Europe competing, this promises to be an exciting event.

420s gather in Istanbul 
With Measurement underway in intense heat in Istanbul, the photos on the event website (click above) tell the story. If you have a message for your team, your sailors, your folk back home, register on the Login and go to the Message Board.

Interesting early insightinto sailors' lives at Istanbul attached.

Dellenbaugh & Provancha win ISAF Women’s 
Emily Dellenbaugh & Briana Provancha (USA), who come from a 420 sailing background, won Gold at the ISAF Youths in a 29er with a race in hand. Sophie Weguelin & Sophie Ainsworth (GBR), both experienced 420 helms, took Silver, scoring a bullet in the final rsace..

In the Open Championship, long-term 29er sailors Henrik Sögaard & Søren Kristensen (DEN) won Gold, with a 9 point lead over 420 sailors, Paul Snow-Hansen & Blair Tuke (NZL), themselves 21 pts ahead of the rest of the field. Bronze winners were GBR experienced 420 helm James Ellis and crew, Robert Partridge. Leading French 420 sailors, Vincent Berthez & Thibault Heurley scored a bullet in the last race.

Safe journey to the several teams who will be back in their 420s for the 420 Junior Europeans on the IJsselmeer off Medemblik at the beginning of August!

420 sailors represent their countries in the 29er at ISAF Youth Worlds 
We noticed the high proportion of competitors at Ontario that are familiar 420 sailors, including the following. Can you identify more?

Emily Dellenbaugh & Briana Provancha (USA), 9th at the 2006 ISAF World Youth Championships in Weymouth, UK, and former US Club 420 sailors, are currently (18 July) leading the women in Ontario. Sophie Weguelin, former GBR 420 Youth Champion helm and GBR 420 entry in last year’s ISAF Youths, teamed up with Sophie Ainsworth, 10th 420 helm at the 2006 Junior Europeans in Tavira, in late-2006 to become 2007 Under 19 and Ladies World 29er Champions, are lying 2nd. Brazilian 420 sailors, Ana Jungen & Kahena Kunze are lying 6th. Sarah & Emma Berry, 2007 NZL Youth 420 Champions are in 10th. Leading French 420 sailors, Pauline Courtois and Nolwenn Lemaitre, with experience at the 420 Worlds in Brest and last year’s ISAF Youths in Weymouth are 11th. Priscilla & Cecilia Low, top ranked 420 women in Singapore, are 12th and Florence Lehmann & Sophie Mesmejan (President of the Swiss 420 Class) are 13th

Paul Snow-Hansen & Blair Tuke, top 420 sailors in this year’s 420 NZL YouthSail, are in 2nd and James Ellis (GBR), Bronze helm at the 2006 420 Junior Europeans at Tavira is, with Robert Partridge, in 3rd, with South Africans, Taariq JACOBS & Neil Malan, who have recently helped establish the new RSA 420 Class, are in 4th. Justin Liu & Sherman Cheng (SIN), 420 winners of the Doha Asian Games 2006, who represented Singapore in the 420 at the 2006 ISAF Youths, are 10th and Vincent BERTHEZ & Thibault HEURLEY, their French sparring partners at the 2006 ISAFs and experienced 420 competitors from the 2005 Worlds in Brest are running 13th.

Lecointre & Aumont win the French Nationals 
Guillaume Lecointre & Bastien Aumont (CV St Quentin), having led throughout, won the Coupe Nationals at Les Sables d’Olonne on Friday on 25 points. Maxime Garbay & Thomas Haddouche (YC Maugio Carnon) sailed back into 2nd, on 27 pts, with Ben Saxton & James Foskett (GBR), on the same points, in 3rd place on countback. Claire Walsh & Jasmine Husband (GBR), finishing in 7th overall, won the Women’s competition by 11 points from Perrine Geniteau & Marion Aumont (CV St Quentin), who were 8th.

Lecointre & Aumont retain the lead at Coupe Nationale 
Guillaume Lecointre & Bastien Aumont (CV St Quentin) retained their lead on Thursday at Les Sables d’Olonne, with 13 points after 7 races. James & Will Rusden (GBR) moved up to 2nd with 20 pts and Ben Saxton & James Foskett (GBR) rose to 3rd on 21, themselves one point ahead of Damien Brenac (YC Antibes) & Juilien Lacaze (SN Bandol). Louis & Charles Poroz enter the top ten in 5th on 36 pts, while Claire Walsh & Jasmine Husband (GBR) are now the leading women on 38 pts, in 6th place.

Lecointre & Aumont lead at Coupe Nationale 
Guillaume Lecointre & Bastien Aumont (CV St Quentin) are leading the 115 boat field at the French Coupe Nationale at Les Sables d’Olonne on 3 points after four races. Maxime Garbay & Thomas Haddouche (YC Maugio Carnon) are in 2nd on 6 pts, Damien Brenac (YC Antibes) & Juilien Lacaze (SN Bandol) are 3rd on 8 pts, James & Will Rusden (GBR), recent winners of the Flanders regatta, are 4th on 9 pts and Ben Saxton & James Foskett (GBR) are 5th on 12 pts.

Perrine Geniteau & Marion Aumont (CV St Quentin) lead the women in 7th on 15 pts, Erell Rannou (USAM Voile) & Fanny Lumeau (CN Ile Tud) are in 9th on 20 pts and Claire Walsh & Jasmine Husband are in 10th, also on 20 points.

After the delayed start, lots of excitement at CN Sablais!

Brenac & Lacaze and Lecointre & Aumont lead two groups at French Coupe Nationale after Race 4 
In Group 1: Damien Brenac (YC Antibes) & Juilien Lacaze (SN Bandol) lead at Les Sables d’Olonne on 8 points. Ben Saxton & James Foskett (GBR) are 2nd on 12 pts and Gabriel Skoczek Bernard & Thibaut Soler 3rd on 13 pts. Leading women are Claire Walsh & Jasmine Husband (GBR) on 20 pts, with Cassandre Blandin & Katell Pouiron in 5th on 23 pts.

In Group 2: Guillaume Lecointre & Bastien Aumont (CV St Quentin) lead on 3 pointys! Maxime Garbay & Thomas Haddouche (YC Maugio Carnon) are in 2nd on 6 pts, while James & Will Rusden (GBR) are 3rd on 9 pts. Perrine Geniteau & Marion Aumont (CV St Quentin) are 4th on 15 pts and Brice Marcq (SN P H) & Jérémie Mion (Cergy Voile 95), recently returned from their campaign at Kiel and Flanders, 5th on 20 pts

After the delayed start, lots of excitement at CN Sablais!

French Coupe Nationale at SN Sablais: Bulletin 
This is the big French national championships, this year being held at Sports Nautiques Sablais. It got underway on Monday with the Challenge Maguet – a team racing competition - Results attached.

Today (Tuesday) racing for the main championships (the French 470s are there too!) was due to get underway with a fleet of 115 competitors. This event has been growing in international interest for several years, and this year there are also 2 NED, 2 IRL, 1 GER, 20 GBR, 3 BEL competitors. But racing on the first day had to be cancelled due to the 28 knot winds and huge waves. They hope to get underway with 4 races tomorrow, starting at 10.00.

Oh well, Les Sables d’Olonne, on the Côte de Lumière in the Vendée, looks like a fine place for an early layday, with great potential for entente cordiale! Have fun!

Spanish Champions confirmed 
Macià Alemany & Joan Duran, of CV Puerto d'Andratx won the Copa de España on their home island of Majorca. José Mª García & Carlos Falcón, of RCN Gran Canaria are the Junior Champions, and Agueda Suria & Marta Martinez-Pons of RCN Valencia are the Women’s Champions.

Congratulations to all the sailors. See many of you guys in Istanbul and at Medemblik!!
Las felicitaciones a todos los marineros. ¡Vea muchos de ustedes tipos en Estambul y en Medemblik!!
Les felicitacions a tots els mariners. Vegi molts de vostès tipus a Istanbul i en Medemblik!!

Alemany & Duran extend their lead in Copa de España after 9 races 
Macià Alemany & Joan Duran, of CV Puerto d'Andratx on the north coast of Majorca, have a 22 point lead after 9 races. Xavier Torrens & Xisco Socias, at home at CN S’Arenal, have pulled up to 2nd on 36 pts, and Pedro Marí & Xim Benjumeda, of RCN Palma, are in 3rd, on countback, on 46 points, giving the Balears top 3 positions at the moment. But Jorge Martínez Doreste & Tomás Ugald, of RCN Gran Canaria, are on equal points with Marí & Benjumeda. Their fellow Canarias, Francisco Cardenes & Juan M. Cerezo are in 5th on 54 pts. Marc Pallicer & Joris Menno of C.N. S'Arenal Excesso are 6th. Leading Juniors, José Mª García & Carlos Falcón, of RCN Gran Canaria, in 8th are 10 points ahead of their rivals, Aina Lleonart & Arnau Pizá of RCN Palma – the Atlantic has the lead over the Med in the Juniors!. And the leading women are Agueda Suria & Marta Martinez-Pons of RCN Valencia on 9th, with Felipe Parejo & Borja Tolosa, of CN Sevilla in 10th, looking after the honour of Andalucía. Provisional Results linked above.

Alemany & Duran take the lead in Majorca 
Macià Alemany & Joan Duran of CV Puerto d'Andratx lead after 6 races at the Copa de España de la Clase 420 on 9 points. Fellow Baleares, Pedro Marí & Xim Benjumeda of RCN Palma are 2nd on 16 pts and Francisco Cardenes & Juan M. Cerezo of R.C.N. Gran Canaria are 3rd on 25pts. Xavier Torrens & Xisco Socias, of the home club CN S’Arenal, are 4th on 29 pts, while the leading juniors are José Mª García & Carlos Falcón of R.C.N. Gran Canaria are 5th on 30 points.

Marí & Benjumeda of RCN Palma lead Copa de España 
Pedro Marí & Xim Benjumeda representing the Balearics led the Spasnish Cup Nationals at CN S'Arenal in Majorca after the first two races of this 4 day event. José Mª García & Carlos Falcón of R.C.N. Gran Canaria were 2nd and, from the same club, Francisco Cardenes & Juan M. Cerezo were 3rd. In fact, Palma & Gran Canariua have the top nine places at this early stage, with Coraline Jonet & Matthew Jones of RCN Valencia in 10th, reminding us of where it was happening last week!

The Rusdens take Flanders Trophy from last year’s winners! 
With no racing on the final morning due to strong winds and torrential rain at Nieuwpoort, the Final Results were declared, with James & Will Rusden taking back the trophy to GBR again, 4 points ahead of last year’s winners, Ben Saxton & James Foskett! The GBR participation at Flanders regatta is usually strong, and they had 20 of the 35 boats this year (with many of the GBR 420 Class sailors also sailing in Cadets with similar success!), and they had 7 of the top ten, but Brice Marcq & Jérémie Mion from Le Havre put in a great performance for France and were joined also by Nina Keizer & Anneloes van Veen of Braassemermeer, Netherlands and Joeren Belis & Arnaud Blij from the home country, Belgium. For Final Results, cclick title.

The Castenfors dominate at Marstrand 
Martin & Magnus Castenfors led the Swedish JSM 2007 at Marstrand, Sweden to the finish, with 12 points. Viktor & Veronika Holmgren held their position in 2nd on 20 points, while Carl & Wilhelm Johannisson were 3rd on 29 points. Just back from Kieler Woche, these three teams had a commanding lead in the 20-boat regatta at Sweden’s island of ‘sun and sailing’. Have a look at Marstrand – a love story, and you could be entering next year!

Dziesiaty & Szymanski win at Kiel 
With only 1 race sailed in the Gold/Silver Fleet finals, after difficult weather conditions throughout the event and only 4 races in the qualifiers, Florian Dziesiaty & Oliver Szymanski (GER) took the championship at Kiel on countback from Federico Maccari & Rocco Vitali (ITA), with Katja Müller & Sandra Boschert (GER) the leading women’s boat, just one point behind the leaders.
4th Ferdinand Gerz & Tobias Bolduan (GER)
5th Marco Brice & Jérémie Mion (FRA)
6th Ben Saxton & David de Boltz (GBR)
7th Imke Brockerhoff & Annika Storck (GER)
8th Paolo & Andrea Cattaneo (ITA)
9th Claire Lasko & Tim Saxton (GBR)
10th Jacopo Plazzi & Enrico Stella (ITA)
For full Results click above and for further information on 2007 Kieler Woche, go to official website.

On-line Entries Open for Junior Europeans 
On-line entries can now be made for the Junior European Championships in Medemblik. This facility can be found in the racing section of the web site.

Hong Kong International Regatta 
The Notice of Race for the Hong Kong International Dinghy Regatta 2007 has been posted on the events page. There will be charter boats available, free of charge, to overseas sailors (subject to conditions).

2007 General Assembly 
The agenda and proposals for the 2007 General Assembly have been posted on the documents page.

GBR Nationals looking international 
The GBR 420 Class are holding their National Championships at Hayling Island SC (the venue for the 2003 Worlds) from 18/08 - 24/08/2007. Notice of Race.They just opened the on-line entry on the special Event Website and already have 3 Irish boats and 2 from USA….and one GBR boat so far! Watch this space! Hayling Island SC is close to the Portsmouth Ferry and accessible from Dover/Channel Tunnel, Southampton and Poole, so, is this on your 2007 racing calendar?

Lavie & Logoboi win Israeli 420 Cup event at Sdot-Yam 
Lior Lavie & Gadi Logoboi, who won the Israel National 420 Championship 2007 in April, last week won the 2nd Israeli 420 Sailing Cup event at Sdot-Yam SC on home waters. In 2nd place were Yair Levi & Eyal Hamburger of Hapoel Eilat. The ;eading women were Gil Choen & Inbar Gidron of Hapoel Tel-Aviv. We have a mini-report from the winning helm who tells of the heroic action of his crew on the second-day. Click above.

Men:
1st Lior Lavie & Gadi Logoboi from S.Y.S.C (Sdot-Yam SC)
2nd Yair Levi & Eyal Hamburger (Hapoel Eilat)
3rd Daniel Greenberg & Gadi Hazan (Hapoel Tel-Aviv)

Women:
1st Place Gil Choen & Inbar Gidron (Hapoel Tel-Aviv)
2nd Tal Geva & Mia Lebel (5th in last ISAF Youths 2006) in England) (Sdot-Yam SC)
3rd Place Noa Arnon & Alma Davidi (Hapoel Tel-Aviv)

Full results on Israel Yachting Association

Keijzer & van Veen: Dutch 420 Youth Champions 
Nina Keijzer & Anneloes van Veen (NED) had a 3-pont lead after a 9-race series to take the competition on the Ijsselmeer, off Workum in the Netherlands. Max Trippolt & Julian Meister of Austria took 2nd wiyj a 2-point lead over Bart Van den Hondel & Jasper Kleijweg (NED). The top three had quite a lead overthe rest of the Fleet, with Gosse & Jacob de Boer 4th, just ahead of Magdalena & Sophia Hubert-Reh (GER).

Faria e Cunha and Freitas e Arriaga: Campeões Nacionais de Portugal 2007 
Rita Faria e Teresa Cunha e Bernardo Freitas e Manuel Arriaga novos Campeões Nacionais da Classe 420 respectivamente as classificações feminina e masculina
Liberty Seguros – Campeonato Nacional da Classe 420

Following their triumph at the Portuguese Youth Champs earlier in the month, Rita Faria & Teresa Cunha are the Portuguese Women’s 420 Champions 2007 and won overall at Clube de Vela Atlântico. Ana Rocha & Ana Oliveira of CN Lisboa were 2nd and Bernardo Freitas & Manuel Arriaga were 3rd and are Men’s Champions.

Saxton & Foskett win GBR Team Selector Series 
Ben Saxton & James Foskett won the 2007 GBR Euros/Jnr Euros Team Selector Series held over 5 days at 2 venues. Claire Walsh & Jasmine Husband, recently returned from the Spanish Nationals in Blanes and CIMA at La Ciotat were the lead Women (in 5th overall).

Faria e Cunha win Portuguese Youths 
Rita Faria & Teresa Cunha (CN Cascais) are the 2007 Youth Champions in Portugal. Ana Rita Rocha & Ana Oliveira (CN LX) were 2nd and Bernardo Freitas & Manuel Arriaga (CN Cascais) took Bronze.

"Squirrel" Jim & Marlon Jones: 1st RSA National Champions 
With 6 bullets Asinathi & Marlon beat their fellow Izivunguvungu sailors and 2007 Western Cape Provincial Champions, Kenwin Daniels & Joweal Klaase, as well as former RSA 420 representatives at the 2005 ISAF Youth Worlds, Ricky & Brennan Robinson of Boskop, at the first South African National Championship, held on the Zeekoevlei at Cape Town in April 2007. Full Report and Results. Also see 420 Goes Africa for the story of how 420s have come to Southern Africa and a few other things - like Houdini the Hippo, Team Shosholoza, ‘Faith’, the Jacobs dynasty, ‘Thubelisha’. Izivunguvungu, Elkan Green and Eric Bongers and more!.

A résumé from CIMA 2007 
With thanks to the (420) President of France (420 Class)!

Lutz & Beucke win CIMA 
After a series of only 4 races, with two days lost to the weather, Tina Lutz & Susann Beucke (GER) won the 2007 CIMA at La Ciotat today on six points, rounding off with a bullet!. Gabriel Skoczer & Thibaut Soler (FRA – YC Mauguio Carnon) - fresh from their silver in the Spansih National Championships - know how to sail the Méditerranée and were 2nd on 7 points. Philipp Autenrieth & Christian Pulz (GER) were 3rd on 10, Romain Marie & Logan Vergy (FRA – SR Rochelaises) 4 (11), Ferdinand Gerz & Tobias Bolduan (GER) 5 (12), Yvan Beckius & Pierre Petetin (FRA - SN de Sanary) 6 (13) and Vincent Berthez & Thibault Heurley (FRA - SR Rochelaises) 7 (14), 9 points ahead of the next placed boat, in a field of 141.

"Très dur !!!" was the reaction of the French 420 Class President, after a very tough event - for the organisers, the Comité de Course and the sailors! Two days lost to the weather - too much and too little! [Friday: “vent est 20nds à 30nds avec mer formée rendant la mise à l'eau très difficile”; Sunday:"pas de vent = pas de courses"!]. Colleagues in New Zealand and the UK just completed their Youth Championships last weekend, the one losing races through too much wind and the other through too little! Evidently the Coupe Internationale de la Méditerranée suffered from the winds of l'Océan Méridional (Southern Ocean) and La Manche (the Channel). all in one weekend! But we hope the sailors had some fun in La Ciotat - definitely a good place to be! La bonne chance et voyage bien.

Peter Irwin & David Kohler GBR 420 Youth Champions; Imogen Stanley & Kate Macgregor, Women’s Champions 
Irwin and Kohler will be carrying the GBR 420 Youth Champion trophy back to Scotland tonight, while Imogen Stanley and Kate Macgregor are the 2007 420 Women’s Youth Champions. Frances Peters & Hannah Diamond, Sophie Weguelin & Sophie Ainsworth and James Ellis took the top three places in the 29er Championships – all are experienced 420 sailors!

Coltman & Goodwin NZL Youth Champs & the Berrys take Women’s 
Tim Coltman & Ben Goodwin of Muritai YC had a five point lead to claim the 2007 NZL 420 Youth Championships. Paul Snow-Hansen & Blair Tuke (Wakatere BC / Kerikeri CC) took the silver place on the podium, while Sarah & Emma Berry (Worser Bay BC), the new 420 Women’s Youth Champions, took bronze. Josh Porebski & Matthew Vincent (Worser Bay BC) were 4th and National 420 Champions, Thomas & Jason Saunders (Tauranga Y&PBC) were 5th. Final Results

Looking good for Kiwi finale 
Well, as bed calls invitingly here, those guys in NZL are well ahead and out on the water at Wellington by all accounts. They seem to have dropped the references to "killer whales", but we liked them as a little diversion from the weather probs in Europe and New Zealand (living vicariously here at Intl 420 web HQ).

You can follow the action on their excellent website - though we could have used some more photos, guys! - and we will be back to check the outcome of the NZL Youth Champs in our morning! Have a great day's sailing.

No Kiwi youth sailing on Friday, but Orca sighted around Worser Bay 
“We just got a call from one of the local residents to say that an Orca and her pup were spotted cruising around Worser Bay this morning before heading off along Seatoun beach to the heads”. A distraction for bored 420 sailors? But we hope they keep a wary eye out if they get to sail for the last day of the Steven Dyke Hyundai YouthSail 07. Meanwhile, for those of us who know less about the orca, this orca research website may help (don't say we aren't educational in the 420 Class!).

CIMA suffers from difficult seas on first day 
With no sailing in NZL Youth Champs due to heavy winds and light winds affecting the GBR Youths, CIMAs first day was marred by high winds and difficult seas, leading the Race committee to abandon for the day. Hopefully, they will het ynderway at 10.00H on Saturday morning. Bonne chance!

Irwin & Kohler score double bullets on penultimate day of GBR Youths 
Provisional Race 8 results have Peter Irwin and David Kohler extending their lead on 17 points. Owain Matthews & Joe Williams are 2nd. Jonny Moss & Ben Muskett are 3rd. Imogen Stanley and Kate Macgregor lead the women in 5th. Very light winds forecast for last day on Saturday.

Irish Youths: Full Results posted 
....now time to party!

Lehane & Duggan: Irish Youth Champs and Rumball & Burke: Women's! 
The Irish Sailing Association have issued the following provisional order following completion of racing at the 2007 Irish Youth Nationals off Crosshaven: 1. Rob Lehane & Peter Duggan, Kinsale YC/Currabunny YS; 2 Ed Butler & Sean Collins., Royal St George YC; 3. Alysson Rumball & Suzanne Burke, Royal St George YC / Howth YC.

But our (420) woman on the Jury has rung in to Intl Web HQ to confirm podium order. No doubt ISA will publish full final results when they get time off from partying - which they do v. well in Cork, we hear!! good place for 420 sailors, obviously! woop!

45 knot gusts prevent sailing at NZ Youth Champs 

Lehane & Duggan lead Irish Youths with 7 bullets 
With a 2nd discard kicking in, Rob Lehane & Rob Duggan of Currabinny have just 7 points, with nine races completed. Ed Butler & Sean Collins (Royal St George) are 2nd on 17, Alysson Rumball & Suzanne Burje (Royal St George / Howth) are 3rd on 19, Katie Tingle & Maeve Leonard (Royal Cork) 4th on 25 and Timmy Ó Laoire and Iarlath Kennedy (Howth) are 5th on 26, with an 11 point lead over the next competitors. It will be a busy final day on Friday!

Coupe Internationale de la Méditerranée (“CIMA”) starts on Friday 
Racing at the annual French 420 International Regatta, CIMA, is due to start on Friday. We hear that there are 100 French boats registered, together with 45 from other European countries: BEL, ESP, GBR, GER, HUN, ITA, POR, SUI & SWE.
The event is being organised by the Société des Régates de La Ciotat, between Marseille and Toulon.

Trippolt & Varadi (AUT) win Izola Spring Cup 
Max Trippolt & Julian Meister (AUT) won the 2007 Izola Spring Cup at the Jadralni klub Burja at izola, Slovenia on 18 points, with Hermann Beurle & Niki Wienerroither 2nd on 20 points. Kata Varadi & Julianna Varadi (HUN) were 3rd, tying on 23 points with Florian Felzmann & Martin Lux (AUT), 4th

We have received some great photos from the Austrian Training Camp which was held at Izola during the preceding week.– see Rolling Photos and Photo Gallery. Thanks to the Chief Photographer and ‘Mädchen für alles’, Lisbeth Diem, of the Austrian 420 Class, where Martin Lux’ report on the training may be found.

Kiwis underway: Snow-Hansen & Tuke take early lead 
Racing got underway on Wednesday in New Zealand for the Hyundai YouthSail 07 regatta. Blustery conditions resulted in postponements in the morning, but the winds dropped below the allowable limit in the early afternoon and the 420s got three races in.

Paul Snow-Hansen & Blair Tuke lead on 8 points. Stephanie Hazard & Rachel Baseri and Tim Coltman & Ben Goodwin Are both on 12 and the Berrys, Sarah & Emma, on 16. Leading women at the NZL Nationals earlier in the week, Susannah Pyatt & Danielle Bowater are on 18, while National Champions, Thomas & Jason Saunders are on 19. Some way to go!

Irwin & Kohler kick things off at GBR Youth Nationals 
After no sailing on Day 1 for lack of wind and only one race on Day 2, in which half the fleet did not reach the finish in Hayling Bay before the time limit, the GBR Youths looks more promising on Thursday. Must have borrowed some wind from Wellington! In the meantime, Peter Irwin & David Kohler made yesterday a Scottish day.

Lehane & Duggan maintain the lead at Cork 
Rob Lehane & Rob Duggan of Currabinny with 4 bullets and a 4th, hold their lead on the 420 competition at the Irish Youth Nationals at Cork. Timmy Ó Laoire and Iarlath Kennedy of Howth have moved up to 2nd, but Ed Butler & Sean Collins of Royal St George are on the same points. Only two pints (oops, points) behind the boys, Katie Tingle & Maeve Leonard, on home waters at Royal Cork, move ahead of Alysson Rumball & Suzanne Burje (Royal St George / Howth), but on countback with their bullet in Race 5! Some close scoring here to take into tomorrow's racing .

Irish “in the pink” in Cork, while Kiwis and Brits green with envy in “Windy Wellington” & “Windless Hayling” 
What a drag! Too much wind in NZL and too little in GBR put paid to Day 1 of their Youth Championships. Loads of frustration! Our super communications wizards, Jodie Bakewell-White and Lyndsey Bell filed the news: Day 1 News from NZL Youths and Day 1 News from GBR Youths.

Meanwhile things are moving for the Irish Youth Nationals. Bernadette Fox reports that they just launched for a 2nd day's sailing after the breeze kicked in. We hear that Rob Lehane & Rob Duggan were running 1st overnight after 2 races yesterday at the Royal Cork YC, Alysson Rumball & Suzanne Burje 2nd and Timmy Ó Laoire and Iarlath Kennedy 3rd. Full Irish Youth Results linked here.

Kivell & Taylor hold Australian 420 title 
Sam Kivell & Max Taylor of Victoria retained their 2006 title at Sandy Bay SC in Tasmania and were crowned Australian National Champions on 22 points after a full 12-race series. Australian Youth Champions, David Gilmour & Andres Noe of Western Australia, took Silver on 26 points, 4 ahead of Stacey O'May & Chelsea Hall of Western Australia in Bronze. Peter Nicholas & Jay Halligan were 4th and Stef & Emma Flukes 5th.

Hey, all these photos of all these 420s sailing! 
We are picking up on images of 420s racing all over the world this month! As fast as we can process them, there will be some on this page - the Rolling Pics - just keep clicking! Where smaller number, or news items, come in, they go to Photo News. Larger collections go to the Photo Gallery. Keep looking! Thanks to all the photographers!

Meloni & Gemini score a double! 
Giovanni Meloni & Alessandro Gemini of YC Cagliari won the first Italian Regata Nazionale of 2007 at CV Pietrabianca
in March. And now they have won the 2nd on home waters at YC Cagliari
in Sardegna! - and they have big entries for their events in Italy! Matteo Morelli & Edoardo J Raimondo of YC San Remo and Scotti Edoardo Mancinelli & Lorenzo de Felice of CDV Roma were 2nd and 3rd respectively. Camilla Marino & Claudia Soricelli of C R V I were the lead women. Vittorio Greggio has taken some great photos that we hope to load into the Photo Gallery shortly. Meanwhile, all is available on the YC Cagliari website.

Thomas and Jason Saunders win NZL Nationals 
Christine Hansen writes “Final results are not yet available due to a number of protests. However the Racing finally began today in light winds around 1.45 pm, however the Saunders brothers from Tauranga have won the regatta after a clear 1st placing and a 4th. Snow-Hansen and Tuke went into the day 2 points up, but this was eroded after returning to start line when they mistakenly thought they'd been over the line; once again they made a good recovery but. having got up into 2nd, they lost their wind on the downward leg and were overtaken by Goodwin and Coltman. This gave them a 3rd placing which was followed by a drop which put them on equal points with Thomas and Jason, but 2nd on countback. Susannah Pyatt and Danielle have secured third position - full results will follow as soon after protest time as possible”.

Campeonato Sudamericano / Sul-Americano Fotografía 
Claudio Cambria estaba muy ocupado la semana pasada en el agua en Buenos Aires! Hemos traído muchas sus imágenes del do sitio web de YC Argentino. Estos deberán ser encontrados en la Galería de Foto.

Claudio Cambria estava muito ocupado na semana passada na água em Ares de Buenos! Trouxemos um grande número de suas imagens do sítio web de YC Argentino. Estes são ser achados na Galeria de Foto.

Claudio Cambria was very busy last week on the water in Buenos Aires! We have brought a large number of his images from the YC Argentino website . These are to be found in the Photo Gallery

Travascios triumphant 420 Champions of South America 2007 
Victoria & Mercedes Travascio decisively won the 2007 Campeonato Sudamericano / Sul-Americano in Buenos Aires today, with a 17 point lead over their close rivals. Sebastian Peri Brusa & Santiago Masseroni took Silver, with a 2 point lead over Bronze winners, Nicolas Buhler & José Tedin. Ana Jungen & Kahena Kunze led the Brazilians in 8th overall. Pedro & Federico Salzmann Mai led the first team from Chile since the formation of their new 420 Class Association. Claudio Cambria has taken a massive collection of photographs, which are to be found on the event website linked above and are being loaded onto the Photo Gallery of this website.

Oczyck & Fiedler win at Malcesine on Garda 
Cornelia Oczyck & Sabine Fiedler won the “8th (420) Meeting of the Third Millenium” (2007) at Fraglia Vela di Malcesine on Lago di Garda, Italy today. 2nd Maximilian Weiss & Maximilian Maegl, 3rd Theresa Majer & Linda Weber, 4th Magdalena & Sophia Hubert-Reh and 5th Fabian Kaske & Alexander Schaetz. Molti ringraziamenti, Chiara e Laura. Lei è delle stelle!

Cardenas & Cerezo are Spanish 420 Champions 2007 
Francisco Cardenas & Juan M Cerezo of RCN Gran Canaria won the Championships at CV Blanes. Agueda Súria & Marta Martínez (RCN Valencia) are the Women’s Champions. Ana Lleonart & Arnau Piza (RCN Palma) won the Junior Championships and Aina Jordi & Marina Bonet (CN S’Arenal) are the Women’s Junior Champions. The final press release, which provides listings of the highest placed sailors in each category, is to be found on the C V Blanes website. The full Final Results are attached above.

In addition to the massive Spanish entry for their Nationals, there were several international competitors. Gabriel Skoczek & Thibault Soler of France were 2nd overall. Björn & Alexander Beilken of Germany were 3rd. Claire Walsh & Jasmine Husband, GBR, were 7th and the leading female boat overall.

Spanish National Championships - Photographs 
Alfred Farré and Jordi Farré have done a mighty job, on and off the water at Blanes, taking photographs in some challenging conditions! These can all be viewed on the Club website.

We have most uploaded here. For all up to the end of Day 3, go to Photo News and, for the massive selection for Day 4, go to Photo Gallery.

Gabella & Keller pip Haslers in early-season Swiss event at Oberhofen 
The Swiss were out last weekend on the Thunersee for the Capman Cup event. Raphael Gabella & Kaspar Keller won on countback from the Haslers, Stéphanie & Romy, seen at the Worlds at Takapuna earlier this year. Full results linked to Reto Meier’s report above. Good sailing on Saturday, though rumours of coffee and sunbathing on the Sunday (the wind dropped and the sun came - nothing to do with the 420 evening the night before, of course!). The Swiss Class held their General Meeting on Saturday evening. Continuing as their President, Sarah Mesmejan – now just off to check out the Louis Vuitton in Valencia – says “all good”.

French competion hots up for 2007 
The French have held their first round of “interligues” on 24/25 March (another weekend to come in May) in three regions. If you want to check out the potential French challengers at the Euros 2007, you will surely find them in the results: Nord. Atlantique and Sud.

Welcome to 420 South Africa 
Two new Class Associations in a month! South Africa has just joined the 420 family, hot on the heels of Chile!

There is a real, pioneering story to the introduction of 420s to Southern Africa (we reported the licensing of the new builder in Cape Town as few weeks ago). So we have gathered together all we can find out so far, and some great photos, and have written up the SA 420 Story. This is in a new section of the website (see Navigation menu) called Information. We are planning, from time to time, to use this section for news items and more in-depth stories.

if you want to find out about Houdini, iziVunguvungu, the wetlands of the ‘sea cow’, Jimmy Baigrie’s Olympic hopeful, the Bishops’ new hut, the Jacobs’ dynasty, ‘Faith’ and ‘Thubelisha’ and a whole lot more, have a look at 420 goes Africa. And if you have a story to tell, get in touch with us! - Send Email

In the meantime, we wish all the best to South African Class in its new enterprise.

New 420 Class in Chile 
Our congratulations to Chile on the formation of a National 420 Class Association. We look forward to hearing their news and meeting their sailors at international events.

Team Racing Championship Cancelled 
Unfortunately, due to the collapse of the sponsorship deal, the 420 Team Racing Championship, due to be held in Italy at the beginning of July has had to be cancelled.

If any country would like to host this championship, they should contact Nino Shmueli - ninos@netvision.net.il

Equipment used at the 2007 Worlds 
The statistics for the equipment used at the 2007 International 420 Class World Championships have been published on the Technical Committee Information page of the web site.

Photos from the 2007 Worlds 
We had an unprecedented supply of images from four photographers at the Takapuna Worlds. We have used many on the Rolling Photos on this page and some in Photo News, but we plan to create an archive for reference in due course. In the meantime, go to the photographers' websites for some amazing photos and contact them for high resolution images for prints.

Bill Calver of www.oceanphotography.co.nz, the official photographer;
Paul Todd of www.outsideimages.co.nz;
Richard Gladwell, the NZ Editor of www.sail-world.com, Sail-World have just announced that they are offering a free DVD of their images - see their news item; and
Christine Hansen’s photos, on and off the water, can be found at the Event website www.420worlds2007.org.nz

Notices of Race Posted 
Notices of Race for the European Championship in Istanbul, The Carnival Regatta at Vilamoura, Portugal and the 8th Millenium Meeting at Lake Garda, Italy, have been posted on the events page.

Standard Event Sailing Instructions 
The latest version of the Standard Sailing Instructions for 420 International Events have been added to the documents page.

David Gilmour & Andrew Noe win Australian Youths 
While several of their compatriots were at the Worlds in Takapuna, David Gilmour & Andrew Noe continued their winning form (they won 7 of the 9 races) at the OAMPS Australian Youth Championships at Sandy Bay Sailing Club in Hobart, Tasmania and have taken the 420 national youth title.

Evans and Burling make the double 
Carl Evans and Peter Burling have successfully defended their World Championship title at the 2007 Worlds in Takapuna. With Jo Aleh and Clivia Powrie’s achievement of the Women’s title with a day in hand and with Kiwis in 2nd and 3rd in both the Opens and the Women’s, New Zealand had an exclusive hold on the podium. James and Will Rusden (GBR) won the Open Silver Fleet.

Aleh & Powrie unassailable as Champions 
On the penultimate day of the Women's World Championships 2005 at Takapuina, Jo Aleh and Olivia Powrie have built such a lead that they know that they will be crowned Women's World Champions 2007.

Sketch of new Bridle Arrangement 
A sketch of the new bridle arrangement, from the chairman of the technical committee.

Remember, this is not compulsory and you can still use the old arrangement provided it conforms with the rules.

Changes to the International 420 Class Rules 
ISAF have posted changes to the 420 Class Rules, most to become effective from 27th December. However, the spinnaker foot median limit will be imposed on sails first certified (measured) after July 1st 2007. All sails for the worlds will NOT be checked on that measurement.

2006 GA Minutes Published 
The Minutes of the 2006 General Assembly of the International 420 Class Asociation have been published on the documents page of the web site.

420 and 470 Junior Europeans Web site launched 
The web site for the 420 and 470 Junior Europeans is now up and running and includes accommodation information.

420 Chosen for Youth World Championships in 2009 
At the November meeting of the World Youth Sailing Championship sub-committee of ISAF, it was unanimously agreed to recommend the 420 as the two person dinghy for both boys and girls when the Championship is held in Brazil in 2009.

Tan & Lim and Liu & Cheng take Golds for SIN at Doha 
Great Singaporean celebrations at the Doha Asian Games in the State of Qatar on Thursday night.

The men's 420 was close throughout the competition with the Singapore crew of Justin Liu and Shermon Cheng taking their first Asian Games gold medals. Shingen Furuya and Shibuki Iitsuka took silver for Japan while Nay La Kyaw and Min Min of Malaysia cruised into the bronze position, eight points behind Japan.

Singapore duo Sarah Tan and Tze Ting Lim dominated the women's 420 bringing home 11 firsts out of 12 races. Their gold medal was certain after race 10 as they had established a significant lead.

420 European Championship 2007 
The venue for the International 420 European Championship 2007 has been confirmed as Istanbul Sailing Club.

New 420 Builder Approved 
ISAF have approved the application of Sport-Sails Center, of Poland, to build 420s.

Imperia countdown : 7 - 10 December 

Germany selects its teams for Takapuna 
We learn that at Germany’s recent selection regatta (full results at http://www.uniqua.de/), with another massive 112 boat entry, the Class has selected the attached teams for the 2007 Worlds in New Zealand. Tina Lutz, former Optimist World Champion, with Lisa Frisch, leads the Women’s team, while Ferdi Gerz & Henning Bastian head the Men’s listing. Looks as though most of these guys will be at the Imperia Regatta next month. So the training schedule seems to be on track!

Experienced team to represent France at Takapuna 
France completed their team selections at the recent Grand Prix de l'Armistice at Maubisson (see earlier news item) . All but one sailor competed at the 2006 Worlds or Junior Europeans. Berthez & Heurley, winners of the CIMA in 2006 and Bronze winners at the 420 Junior Europeans in Tavira, are evidently on form with their further win Maubisson earlier this month. Good to see Marie Lumeau, ISAF Youth Gold helm at Busan and Silver at the 420 Worlds at Brest in 2005, teamed up with seasoned 420 crew, Vincent Guillarm. Cédric Chateau of Le Havre will be the Team Manager and Ladies’ Coach, while Gwenaël Gbick of Maugio Carnon is to coach the Open team.

Any 420 news and events? 
We are updating the Event Calendar for 2007 and expanding our news coverage. Have your National Championships and other ”open” events been notified to us. Do you have news on your team selections for the Worlds in Takapurna or other news about 420 sailing? Or any picture-stories to share? Let us know by clicking on Submit News / Photos pn the menu bar.

Spanish go to Blanes for Nationals (and a Catalan new year too!) 
News just in. The Spanish National Championships are to be held at Club Vela Blanes, near Loret de Mar on the Costa Brava (near Girona Airport, north of Barcelona). An international flavour is anticipated, with participation from as far as the USA. Winter Training and a Regatta will be held at the Club from 27-31 December, 2006, Yngling World Champ, Monica Azon will be the featured coach and several boats from the U.S. are going for a Catalan New Year!

Els Campionats Nacionals espanyols haurien de ser tinguts en el Club Vetlla Blanes, Loret de Mar en la Costa Brava. Un sabor internacional s'anticipa, amb la participació de per el que els USA. L'hivern que Entrena i una Regata es tindrà en el Club de 27-31 desembre, 2006, Campió de Món de Yngling. Monica Azon serà l'entrenador representat i diversos vaixells dels USA van per a un Any nou català!

Berthez & Heurley triumph for the Rochellaises at the Grand Prix de l'Armistice at Maubuisson 
Despite the cold (3°C in the morning!), the sun and the wind (10 to 20 knots), the sailing on time each day. Great organization by the Cercle de la Voile de Bordeaux: 12 races in 4 days: 9 qualifyers, then 3 Gold and Silver on the last day: 134 boats, inc. 19 foreigners (AUT, BEL, ESP, GER, ITA, MON, SUI). Great scrimmage (well, you know the French and rugby!) for victory in the last race!

Malgré le froid (3°C le matin!), le soleil et le vent (10 à20 noeuds) étaient au rendez-vous tou sles jours. Belle organisation du Cercle de la Voile de Bordeaux. 12 courses en 4 jours: 9 courses quaificatives en groupes puis le dernier jour 3 courses en groupe Or et Argent. 134 bateaux dont 19 étrangers (AUT, BEL, ESP, GER, ITA, SUI) ont participé. Belle bagarre pour la victoire qui s'est jouée dans la dernière course! Victoire de Vincent Berthez/Thibault Heurley (La Rochelle) devant Bric Marcq/Jérémie Mion (La Havre / Cergy). Damien Brenac/Julien Lacaze (Antibes/Bandol), 3ème, ne participeront pas au Chpt. du Monde

420 Proposed Rule Change 
The new bridle, as proposed and approved by the General Assembly in 2006, will become class legal just before the 2007 Worlds. The official version of the rules will be posted on the ISAF website in December, but in the meantime see the proposal presented at the GA.

Peri Brusa & Masseroni win at Buenos Aires & Victoria & Mercedes Travascio 1st women 
After a testing first weekend of light wind sailing and then Saturday’s strong winds giving some fine races, the final day’s racing had to be abandoned due to the heavy weather. But with a challenging range of sailing, the 420's participating in the Semana de Buenos Aires 2006 had a fine regatta. Sebastian Peri Brusa & Santiago Masseroni were declared the champions. 1st women and 2nd overall were Victoria & Mercedes Travascio. 3rd Francisco Sucari & Francisco Renna ; 4th Agustina Branz & Tomas Ocampo; 5th Sol Branz & Santiago Gambaro. We await the Argentina 420 Class selections of their Teams for the Worlds in New Zealand. Meanwhile, congratulations to all the sailors. Details: http://www.yca.org.ar/. Thanks to Elliot Sucari for keeping us informed and to Claudio Cambrio & Matias Capizzano for some great photos.
For the daily news, click on "Complete News" below.

Peri Brusa & Masseroni es los campeones en Buenos Aires. Victoria & Mercedes Travascio primera mujeres 
Con un fuerte sol y altas temperaturas pero muy poco viento arrancó la Semana de Buenos Aires 2006, el evento náutico más importante de la ciudad de Buenos Aires. No solamente es el campeonato más relevante del año sino que esta vez se le agrega el ser selectivo para el mundial 2007 a realizarse en Nueva Zelanda. Con dos dias de vientos leves y uno de vientos fuertes la Semana de Buenos Aires exigio todas las cualidades de las tripulaciones en un intenso campeonato. Con 8 regatas corridas, Sebastian Peri Brusa y Santiago Masseroni se impusieron como lideres del certamen. En segundo lugar y como campeonas femeninas las hermanas Travascio seguidas por Francisco Sucari y Francisco Renna. Esperamos al equipo Argentino en el mundial de Nueva Zelanda, y tambien felicitamos a todos los particpantes! Por otro lado quisieramos agradecer a Elliot Sucari por manternos informados desde la Argentina y a Claudio Cambria & Matias Capizzano por sus excelentes fotos. Para las noticia

British National Championships 2006 
Richard Mason & Daniel Schieber have been declared British 420 National Champions and Joanne Macdonald & Laurie Marsden (of Scotland) are the new Ladies' Champions (in 4th overall). In the Championships held in beautiful Llandudno in North Wales, Ben Saxton & James Foskett were 2nd and Owain Matthews & Joe Williams were 3rd. Tina Lutz & Lisa Frisch of Germany were 8th and Daniel McCarthy & Brian Kelleher from Ireland made this a full-on international event.

Amit Brokman & Moshe Appel of Israel: 2006 Junior European Champions 
Whilst the recently crowned World Champions, Carl Evans & Peter Burling (NZL) also today won the overall results in the Junior Europeans (by 37 points and with a race in hand), the 2006 Junior Europeans Champions are Amit Brokman & Moshe Appel of Israel. James & Dan Ellis (GBR) took Silver, with Vincent Berthez & Thibault Heurley (FRA) in Bronze.

GBR women wipe the board with triple billing on Junior Euros podium 
Hannah Mills & Peggy Webster successfully defended their 2006 title to become Women’s Junior European Champions for a second year running. Sophie Ainsworth & Jasmine Husband were 2nd and Frances Peters & Kate Sparks 3rd. GBR Anne Krueger & Marie Schonknecht (GER) and Susanne Baur & Katharina Berggren (GER) were immediately behind Peters & Sparks.

Keijzer & van Leen win the Silver Fleet 
Nina Keijzer & Anneloes Van Veen (NED) won the Silver Fleet, with Agueda Suria Palop & Marta Martinez-Pons G in 2nd. Whilst Isamu Sakai & Bryan Tse of Hong Kong were 3rd in the overall rankings on count-back, Pieter Van Notten & Jasper Kleijweg (NED) were 3rd in the European competitor rankings in the Silver Fleet

Preliminary Overall Open Results - Gold Fleet 
All results before protests

Preliminary Overall Open Results - Silver Fleet 
All results before protests

Rasta Man…Austrian style 
Sounds like Tavira is bristling with News Hounds - we just had a line from Hélia Bernardo, to tell us that "Alexandra is in the water" (hope it is not too hot - though, come to think of it, Tavira was very hot last time I was there. Anyway, as we await more serious sailing news, further gossip reaches us.

Pose de Velejadora……Fashion a la Tavira 2006

Bunnies aboard? 
Double-pawed team refuses to reveal nacionality (Tavira Gossip 2)

Coelhinhas a Bordo? Dupla de “velejadores”
recusa-se a revelar nacionalidade.

Cuidado!…Passion at Tavira and bandy legged marine policeman… 
Sea Gossip [tricas do mar]: Paixão em Tavira… Afonso Prieto e Ana Rita: como será no mar?

Those of us back home thought that these 420 (and 470 sailors were hard at work (sailing!) there at the Junior Euros on the Algarve, but our spies sent us the attached gossip column (in an unmarked brown paper envelope, of course). We think Alexandra Trindade of Mar de Historias may have a hand in this!. This one is marked 13/08/06 – we demand to see the rest!

Preliminary Results - Final Series Day 3 - Gold Fleet 

Preliminary Results - Final Series Day 2 - Silver Fleet 

Tavira Press Release on Thursday sailing 

News From Tavira - Thursday night 

Preliminary Results - Final Series Day 2 - Gold Fleet 

Preliminary Results - Final Series Day 2 - Silver Fleet 

Only two races today 
The 420s are coming ashore with only two races being sailed today in strong winds.

Days and Nights on the foam at Tavira 
Well, it seems that they had to fetch in the Master of Ferrets, our ISAF/420 Master Coach, Jim Saltonstall, today to stir the sailors from their lay day slumbers after a great disco night (by all accounts....!)

World Champion Kiwis just ahead of Israelis into day 3 at Junior Euros 
A moving picture at the Junior Euros by the end of Day 2. World Champions, Carl Evans & Peter Burling (NZL) have taken the lead (but on equal 11 points) from Amit Brokman & Moshe Appel (ISR) tonight. Up from last night, James & Dan Ellis have jumped into 3rd. Berenger Balzeau & Mathieu Fontaine (FRA) 4th on 19 and António Rosa & Francisco Lacerda (POR) 5th on 22 points.

Overall Preliminary Results Day 2 
False alarm - hey, they're working hard in Tavira! - these are "after-Protest Hearings (sorry, Heather, just have to keep awake after all)

Stop press: overall results at end of D2 held for protests 
We have just heard from our correspondent-in-the-know that there are protests pending following some incident in which we gather one fleet overtook another! So the decision is to hold publication of the results until the morning (Portugal time) so that, hopefully, they will give a more realistic picture of the state of play. A special message to Heather in NZL: you see, better to stay in bed and wait for news tomorrow!

Results from Tavira for Day 2 - to Race 5 (R6 awaited) 
Our team-on-the-spot are on track to let us have the results from Race 6 and the overall position as soon as these are available from the Tavira Race Office, but there has been a bit of a hitch with R6 results. Throughout the day, the results of each Qualifier have been put up, and these are attached - for Races 4 & 5.

We understand that there are problems with the Event Website, due to the level of demand on the limited available bandwidth. So we shall be on the case and will bring you the latest as soon as it is available.

Day 1 News from Tavira 

Overall Preliminary Results Day 1 

Junior Europeans gets underway at Tavira 
222 sailors from 20 countries are enjoying excellent sailing conditions in the waters of the Eastern Algarve. The International 420 Junior European Championship has attracted record entries to the Clube Náutico de Tavira, Portugal. For the first time, this year the 420 and 470 Classes are hosting their Junior European Championships together.

Complete News 
Hey, there's a lot happening! So not all the News is showing. In case you have missed anything, while you were out sailing, sleeping...., click on Complete News at the bottom of this page and see what you missed!

Celebrations across the 420 World tonight 

420 Womens’ Champions are British Hannah Mills and Peggy Webster : Carl Evans and Peter Burling (NZL), Champions of the International 420 Class Open W 

Carl Evans y Peter Burling, Nueva Zelanda, Campiones del Mundo de Vela Clase 420 en categoria absoluta : Titulo en Categoria Femina Para Las Inglesas 

Worlds' Top Tens in each Fleet 

Final Results - Open Gold Fleet 

Final Results - Ladies' Gold Fleet 

Final Results - Open Silver Fleet 

Finals Results - Ladies' Silver Fleet 

GA News 
Pedro Rodriguez (POR) to be new General Secretary.
Catherine Dodds (GBR) re-elected as Treasurer.
Dimitris Dimou (GRE) elected as Chairman of the Technical Committee.
Jorg-Hendrick (GER) elected as a member of the Technical Committee.

Kerl & Hall (AUS) and Brusa & Masseroni (ARG) take Golds at ISAF Youths 
Belinda Kerl & Chelsea Hall (Australia) won Gold at the 2006 Volvo ISAF Youth Worlds at Weymouth in the Women’s 420 (21 points). In Silver, Agueda Suria & Marta Martinez-Pons of Spain were on 33 and Sarah Tan & Tze Ting of Singapore won Bronze with 37

In the Men’s 420 event, Sebastian Peri Brusa & Santiago Masseroni of Argentina won Gold, tying on points with Silver winners, Max Taylor & Sam Kivell of Australia on 29, but winning the competition on countback. In Bronze, Marcus Adler & Bruno Leal Faria were on 33 points.

Full news, photographs and results from the ISAF Youths are available on the Event website (click on the title above). We congratulate all the competitors at the ISAFs on a great event. And now, as many 420 sailors from many countries gathe at Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, we look forward to the World Championships next week.

Australia hold the lead in the Women’s, but Argentina holds off the Australians in the Men's, as the ISAFs move into the final day 
Belinda Kerl & Chelsea Hall (Australia) have an 8 point lead into the final day at the ISAF Youth Worlds in Weymouth, with Agueda Suria & Marta Martinez-Pons (Spain) on 33 points. With 52 points, Su Sandar Wai & Zin April Aung (Myanmar) may have to watch out for Sarah Tan & Tze Ting of Singapore in 4th (55) and Tal Geva & Mia Lebel (Israel) 5th with 56, Emily Dellenbaugh & Briana Provancha (USA) (57) and Giulia Zappacosta & Sara Zribi (Italy) on 59.

In the men’s, Argentina’s Sebastian Peri Brusa & Santiago Masseroni maintain their lead into the last day on 33 points, with Sam Kivell & Max Taylor (Australia) on 39, Amit Brokman & Moshe Apel on 41, Jason Saunders & Bruce Kennedy (New Zealand) (50), Marcos Adler & Bruno Leal Faria (Brazil) (52), Tuathal Mac Colgáin & Peter Duggan (53) and Richard Mason & Daniel Schieber on 58 in 7th place.

Your correspondent is “on the road”, so service may be even slower! Watch for news, as well as the latest results and photos on the event website.

CORRECTION to 2006 Class Rules 
Please note that Rule E.2.3, page 21 should read:

The shape of the lower corners of the centreboard shall lie within the shaded areas in diagram 14, and no part of the bottom edge of the centreboard shall lie outside the polygon formed between points B, B’, C’, D’, F’ and F.

Point B’ is the point on the x-axis 45 mm from origin O.

Point C’ is the point on the y-axis 45 mm from origin O.

Point D’ is the point on the y-axis 45 mm from point E.

Point F’ is the point on line (EG), 45 mm from point E.

Postponement, then abandonment, for 420s at Weymouth 
"The 420’s, Laser’s and Hobie 16’s started the day with high hopes, setting off in a light but constant south westerly wind, however as morning became afternoon the likely hood of starting dropped, as the wind outside the breakwater failed to fill in. A cheer was heard from the patient sailors when the races were postponed indefinitely and ribs were provided to deliver much needed transport to land. " Lay day on Monday.

ISAF Race Day 3 - Still sunny with a little less breeze 
08.30 WPNSA - "The sun is still shining here at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy. The weather forecast indicates above average temperatures and light winds for the next few days..... but at least it is not raining!".Raining? Does it do that in UK?

Keeping up with the News 
Hey, there's a lot going on in 420s at the moment. NB as there are so many News items, if you miss something, check Complete News (click on heading at the bottom of this page). We feature changing photos on the News page - click to see what is there - and, when there is time (!), we will upload images to the PhotoGallery. If you have news or photos, just click on Submit News/Photos on the Menu adn e0-mail them through. Good sailing!

ARG hold lead men after ISR DSQ 
There is a discrepancy between the Volvo Press Release on Saturday’s racing at the ISAF Youths in Weymouth Bay and the provisional results showing at 20.00 UTC. We assume that following a protest, we understand that ISR were DSQ from R4, ARG held their lead from Day 1 after 5 races today (on 22 points). IRL move into 2nd (28 points), with AUS in 3rd (on 31), but a discard has yet to kick in…. But we could certainly be wrong!!.....so if you know better, tell us!! (Click on Submit News)

In the women's, with SIN having OCS in both races, Belinda Kerl & Chelsea Hall (Australia) move to the lead with 16 points, ), Tal Geva & Mia Lebel (Israel) 2nd (33) and Su Sandar Wai & Zin April Aung (Myanmar) 3rd (41)

Lodos & Pulve win Coupe Nationale; Mills/Webster (GBR) 1st Women 
In a dramatic last day at the French Nationals, Fernando Lodos & Julien Pulve turned a 2 point deficit into a 9 point lead over Berenger Balzeau & Mathieu Fountaine, the former leaders. GBR team, Hannah Mills & Peggy Webster were in 3rd place. Damien Brenac & Julien Lacaze took 4th place. Full results on the Carnac website: http://www.yccarnac.com/. Final Press Report attached above.

Paolo & Andrea Cattaneo widen the gap at Riva 
After 7 races (by Friday night) at the Intervela on Lago di Garda, the lead remains with Paolo & Andrea Cattaneo (13 points), with two more bullets in today’s races. They have a substantial lead of 23 over Michele Ferrari & Matteo Raveoloa in 2nd. There is a new team in third place, Max Trippolt & Julian Meister of Austria (45 points), moving ahead of Giacomo Cateni & Edoardo Meini in 4th on 53. Final day on Saturday.

Worlds Entries 
Provisional entry lists for the International 420 World and Ladies World Championships have been posted on the Event Calendar

New Zealand Champion 420 Youth Team Racers 2006 
The Kiwis had led throughout the Championship at Lago di Ledro, Trento, Italy and won the competition from a strong Italian challenge. GBR and ISR also put in good performances. Results posted at 13.25 today: 1st NZL; 2nd ITA 3; 3rd ITA 2; 4th ITA 1; 5th GBR; 6th ITA 4; 7th ISR 1; 8th ITA 5; 9th ISR 2. This is now the time to develop those Team Racing skills in preparation for 2007!

Ben Saxton & James Foskett (GBR) are the new Flanders 420 Champions 
Newly teamed up for their first major event together, Saxton & Foskett decicively won the 18th Flanders Regatta at Nieuwpoort. Two German teams made challenges on the final day of racing to acheive 2nd and 3rd: Florian Dziesiaty & Oliver Szymanski and Daniel Zepuntke & Leon Bischoff-Everding.

Guide to Rule Changes 
Dimitris Dimou, acting Chairman of the Class Technical Committee has written a brief guide to the changes in the International 420 Class Rules, which provides clarification for sailors.

International 420 Class Rules 2006 
The new International 420 Class Rules have now been published on the ISAF web site and come in to effect on the 1st July. Dimitris Dimou, acting Chairman of the Class Technical Committee will shortly publish a brief guide to the changes.

Frustrating wind conditions on Kiel fjord 
The lack of wind which just caused big probs to the 470 sailors at the Euros at Balatonfüred in Hungary seems to be giving a headache at Kiel in Germany too. Today's press release says: "Tropical temperatures and fluky winds ( North-East 3 -6 knots) prevailed on Kiel Fjord all Monday. Thunder storms and gusts are expected later in the evening...Race Committee was eager to organize any possible races....trying to make up for the windless last 2 days in Kiel. But for the competitors...it turned out to be another frustrating day, .... most classes managed to sail just "another" race...The huge 420 fleet finished 2 races today; however, the International Class Association decided to skip the Kiel Week race results as qualification for the World Championship due to the lack of wind and unfair conditions during Kiel Week... 1st team after 2 races is Oliver Neukirchen, GER, 2nd Pauline Courtois, FRA and 3rd Katja Mueller, GER... the race organisation and all competitors pray for better wind conditions tomorrow"

2007 World Championships 
The Notice of Race for the 2007 World Championships in Auckland, New Zealand is now posted on the Event Calendar page.

2006 General Assembly 
The agenda and proposals for the 2006 General Assembly of the International 420 Class have now been posted on the class association documents page of the web site.

The women rock at the Campeonato Argentino 2006 
After 11 races over 3 days, Mer Travascio & Anita Zapiola. who had led throughout, were declared Argentinia’s National Champions 2006. Agus Branz, sailing her first regatta with super crew Sofi Tedin, took 2nd place – “a really solid start for our Worlds campaign!!!”. Youth Champions, Peri & Santi Masseroni, were 3rd. Newcomers to the Class, Fran "el Corto" Sucari & Pacho Renna sailed an outstanding final series to take 4th place – beating the Elliot Sucari & Jose Tedin team into 5th (trouble in both Sucari & Tedin homes, one imagines!). Sofi Tedin reports: “It was a really well organized championship, mainly with light winds, but with 16 boats taking part and many of them newcomers to the class, which proves we are growing fast!!!".

Full Spanish report and ISAF & Worlds team selections are attached, with full results and web links. Navegue bien, Argentina!

Images from Dutch Youths 
We have some of his photos, courtesy of Dirk Epke [http://www.epke.nl], on this page and a small collection may be found on our Photo Gallery.

van Notten & Kleijweg win the Dutch Youths for the Netherlands! 
Arising from the 8 race regatta on the Lisselmeer with the Sailing Club Workum. Pieter van Notten & Jasper Kleijweg (NED) won with a 6 point lead over Katinka van Laer & Sofie Belis (BEL). Fabian Tang & Kevin Hammel (GER) came 3rd with 23 pts

Pereira & Prieto and Suria & Martinez triumph in Portugal Nationals 
António Pereira & Afonso Prieto (ANL) won the overall Championships, but with Luis Niza & João Duarte (CNT), in contention to the line, only 1 point behind! António Matos Rosa and Francisco Lacerda (CNC) were in 3rd.

Agueda Suria & Marta Martinez (RCN Valencia) are the Women's Champions, with Ana Rita Rocha & Ana Sofia Oliveira (ANL) in 2nd and Rita Leal Faria & Teresa Cunha (CNC) in 3rd.

Strong sailing from the juniors puts the pressure on in Portugal!

NB to see daily stories, click on "Complete News" below [ver histórias diárias, estalido em "Completa Notícia" embaixo]

Campeonato Nacional Classe 420: Resultados finais 
O Campeonato Nacional da Classe 420, que foi realizado pelo Clube Naval de Cascais, terminou ontem com a realização das últimas provas. O evento foi disputado até a linha de chegada da última regata, no final a vitória coube a tripulação da Associação Naval de Lisboa António Pereira e Afonso Prieto. O programa foi cumprido na íntegra e foram realizadas nove regatas.

A notícia sobre os marinheiros de Casais de CN é unida: Plena informação/Full information: http://www.cncascais.com/

Latest Newsletter from the Executive Committee 

Championship Guidelines 
An upated version of the International 420 Class Championship Guidelines has been published in the Documents section of this site.

The winds blow and the girls go....! 
so says Lucy Burn organiser of the 2003 GBR Women’s Dinghy Sailing Championships sailed at Hayling Island SC last weekend – a weekend when the coastguard announced a force 9 imminent on the emergency channel and the Isle of Weight hovercraft suspended sailings in the Solent. But the 420 women were in excellent form, in their element in great 420 conditions, with 5 of the 6 top placed being 420s and the 5th placed being two well-known 420 sailors sailing a 470! Amelia Hughes of Royal Corinthian SC and Lesley Bannister of South Cerney SC were crowned Women’s Dinghy Sailing Champions 2006.

GBR completes Worlds & Junior European Team Selections 
With excellent conditions for the final day of their 3rd Selector event and with 17 races at 3 venues behind them, Richard Mason & Daniel Schieber were comfortably the overall winners, but James & Dan Ellis had an excellent event and achieved 2nd iioverall as well as winning the event itself. Neil Marsden & Christian Birrell taking time out from their 470 campaigns, were 3rd in the Series. 4th and lead women were Sophie Weguelin & Katrina Hughes. The Selectors announced the teams to be invited to represent GBR at this year’s World and Junior European Championships.

Rosa & Lacerda and Faria & Cunha win Portugal Juniores 
António Matos Rosa & Francisco Lacerda (CN Cascais) had a convincing win at the Portugueses Youths on Sunday after 12 races. Miguel Mamede & Tomás Almeida (ANL) took 2nd, with António Pereira & Afonso Prieto (ANL) 3rd.
Rita Faria & Teresa Cunha (CN Cascais), who achieved 8th overall, won the Women’s Championship from Ana Rocha & Ana Oliveira (ANL) in 2nd (12th overall) and Dulce Ribeiro & Rosa Costa (NADO) 3rd (overall 16th).

Berhtez & Heurley win CIMA 2006; Faria & Cunha 1st women 
Vincent Berhtez & Thibault Heurley of SR Rochelaises win CIMA, with two 1sts on the last day and a 9 point lead overall. Yan Holtz & Quentin Dantes of CN Antibes were 2nd, 1 point ahead of Vianney Guilbaud & Cedric Mary of CV St Quentin. Rita Faria & Teresa Cunha of CN Cascais (POR) retained their lead and finished as first women's team.

NB for previous reports, click Complete News at the bottom of the page

Evans & Burling NZ Nat Champs; Hill & Kennedy take the Women’s 
Carl Evans & Peter Burling of Kohimarama/Tauranga YCs won the 2006 NZ National Champs at Naval Point Club Lyttelton by a 5 point margin. Simon Cooke & Scott Illingworth of Kohimarama YC were 2nd and Michael Langley & Riley Dean of Howick SC/Naval Point were 3rd. Georgina Hill & Michelle Kennedy of Kohimarama YC are the 2006 Women;s Champions

Gaúchos vencem Sul-Americano em casa. Sailors of the Rio Grande are South American Champions 2006 
Roberto Dias Paradeda & Gabriel Kieling dos Santos, South Brazilian Champions from earlier in the week, won the South American Championships at the Clube dos Jangadeiros at Port Alegre in Brazil on Saturday. Roberto Paradeda and Gabriel “little Ball” Kieling won the closely contended Championships. Sebastian Brusa & Santiago Masseconi of Argentina were 2nd and Henrique Haddad & Thiago Reis (BRA) 3rd. Juliana Mota & Kyra van der Zee Penido (BRA) won the Women’s competition and were 4th overall. Full report at: http://www.abc420.com.br/

Jose A. Medina y Antonio Del Castillo ganan el 37 Trofeo SAR Princesa Sofia 
Jose A. Medina & Antonio Del Castillo (ESP) had a scorching victory at the Princess Sofia tofday (Friday) with a 28 point lead over Francisco Cardenes & Juan Cerezo (ESP) on 67 points. In 3rd place, David Omedes &Carlos Gallart (ESP) were 8 points ahead of Bernardo Freitas & Manuel Arriaga on 86 points in 4th. António Matos Rosa/Francisco Lacerda (POR) (5th) and Daniel Zepuntke & Leon Bischoff-Everding (GER) 5th finished on equal 87 points. With 110 participants, the Princess Sofia is certainly a welcome addition to the 420 Calendar!

GBR Youth and Women's Youth Champions decided in Weymouth 
The culmination of five days of racing at Weymouth & Portland Sailing Academy, venue for the 2006 ISAF Youth Championships and the 2012 Olympics, came today with a series of nail-biting, very close contests on the water. After 10 races in a variety of conditions (and thankfully for many, two discards), Richard Mason and Dan Schieber finished 1st on 18 pts. Second place was decided on tie break, with James and Dan Ellis putting on a late charge with a 3rd and two 2nds just pipping Sophie Wequelin and Katrina Hughes into 3rd and 1st Women, each finishing on 29 pts. In fourth, Hannah and Peggy Mills were 2nd girls on 48pts. The RYA announce TeamGBR for the ISAF Youths tonight.

Beto Paradeda e Gabriel Kieling é Bi-Camapeão Sul-Brasileiro 
Decisive win for Roberto Dias Paradeda - Gabriel Kieling dos Santos in the Brazilian Southern Championships, triumphing by 6 points. José Ribeiro & Denise Chagas were 2nd and Juliana Mota & Kyra Penido (first women), who had taken one race from Paradeda & Kieling, took the bronze slot. Rose Gouvêa's report and full results link attached (previous reports in "Complete News").

All now set for the South American Championships starting at the Club of the Boatmen in Porto Alegre on Tuesday!

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