2021 STAR EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP
MERKELBACH/WEISE DEFENDING THEIR LEADERSHIP
Warm sun and sea breeze from south-west at 12-15 knots, Day Two of the 2021 Star European Championship was very similar to Day One, confirming Split, Croatia as one of the best, and most reliable, sailing spots in Europe.
Race Three and Four are now in the scoreboard and the top spots of the provisional overall ranking have slightly changed. Not the leaders though, Class President Hubert Merkelbach and Kilian Weise (GER) strongly defended their position with another bullet in today’s first race and a sixth in the second, a bit trickier race, due to some major wind shifts. They are the second best of the day, behind Laser Olympic Silver medalist Tonci Stipanovic(CRO), who was fifth and first. He won the second race, with crew Tudor Bilic (CRO), fighting against their fellow countrymen Marin Misura and Tonko Barac who finished second. The latter had a modest advantage upwind, but Stipanovic/Bilic had a big hedge downwind and extended hugely on the last leg. They are respectively fifth and sixth in the overall ranking.
“We had a pretty consistent day, that allows us back in the game after not being so brilliant yesterday. We will try to do the same tomorrow, and with the discard coming in after the fifth race we will be able to join the battle for the win”, commented Tudor Bilic.
“We didn’t expect these conditions but lighter wind and smaller waves than what we had. We are happy nonetheless of our day on the water, it’s nice when you are fighting for the win with an Olympic medalist from your own country”, said Tonko Barac.
Seven total points for the day also for Augie Diaz (USA) and Christian Nehammer (AUT), fourth overall with a second and fifth; two Italian teams in the top five, Enrico Chieffi / Ferdinando Colaninno second – three and nine their daily results – and Flavio Favini with Nicolas Seravalle, fourth.
Tomorrow’s forecast are for a lighter north wind, allowing the 34 team to test the equipment and their tactical skills with different conditions on a patchier race courses due to a big island in the way. The start is scheduled as usual for 1pm local time, and you can follow the racing thanks to Croatel live streaming on the Star Class website.
Event website:
https://2021euro.starchampionships.org/race
Full results:
https://2021euro.starchampionships.org/results
and on Star Class official social media channels
