History of the European Championship 1976 to 1996

History of the European Championship 1976 to 1996

21. European Championship 1976
Port Camargue, France, April 30-May 8
45 entries, from 19 countries

From the beginning the defender Serge Maury proved that he was not willing to give the title away too easily. After three races he was leading overall scoring 2-2-7. Serge was lucky when the time limit expired and his challengers Mauro Pelaschier and Andrei Balashov had only 150 meters to go and he himself was at the end of the fleet. When that race was re-sailed the wind disappeared after the first boats had finished. Nine boats failed to come in on time - including Serge. However line honours and runner-up in the two last races made everything clear in favour of Serge Maury.

Final Results 1976
1.       Serge Maury                           F 721                                 22.0
2.       Andrei Balashov                      SR 2                                   56.0
3.       Gus Miller                               US 975                               67.7
4.       Mauro Pelaschier                    I 509                                  72.0
5.       Jochen Schümann                    DDR 9                                76.0
6.       Joaquin Blanco                        E 101                                 76.0
7.       Pierre Mondéteguy                  F 719                                 81.0
8.       José Luis Doreste                    E 109                                 83.7
9.       Werner Sülberg                       G 1611                               90.7
10.     Jean J. Grandchamp                F 720                                 91.7
11.     Richard Grönblom                   L 171                                 95.7
12.     John Bertrand                         KA 151                              96.0
13.     Guy Liljegren                          S 655                                 96.7
14.     Andreas Haan                         M 11                                  107.0
15.     Gerardo Seeliger                     E 99                                   108.0
16.     Sanford Riley                          KC 143                              108.0
17.     Ryszard Blaszka                      PZ 56                                 116.0
18.     J-P. Boumans                         B 1                                     118.7
19.     Jürgen Wolff                           DDR 29                              119.0
20.     Anastas Boudouris                  GR 176                              123.0
21.     Chris Law                               K 321                                 124.0
22.     Thomas Jungblut                     G 1556                               126.0

 

22. European Championship 1977
Istambul-Yesilyurt, Turkey, July 26-August 5
34 entries from 17 countries

Gilbert Lamboley as the Chairman of the IFA Technical Committee came to help the Turkish measurers to find out that there were still a lot of Finn sailers who dislike stembands. However all boats got a dispensation and from that time on the arrangement declared to be illegal in Istanbul became common practice all over the world.

Final Results 1977
1.       Joaquin Blanco                        E 1                                     32.7
2.       Minski Fabris                          Y 53                                   42.0
3.       Peter Vollebregt                      H 535                                 52.4
4.       Kent Carlsson                         S 677                                 53.7
5.       David Howlett                         K 421                                 54.4
6.       Andrei Balashov                      SR 2                                   60.4
7.       Jochen Schümann                    DDR 9                                66.7
8.       Wolfgang Gerz                        G 1573                               79.0
9.       Ryszard Skarbinski                 PZ 28                                 83.0
10.     H.G. Ehlers                             G 1572                               88.7

 

23. European Championship 1978
Marstrand Sweden, August 24-September 2
54 entries, from 24 countries

The wind was strong to very strong for most of the week and the waves breathtaking even for the most experienced stalwarts. Super Skipper Howlett did not believe it, until the globe capsized below him while he claimed to remain upright. Kent Carlsson was disqualified for a too heavy weight jacket. The last decisive race had only light wind but a strong current. Minski Fabris cleared all doubts by winning this one too, after he had been superior in the heavy air previously. The Vanguard hulls were judged to be fast in the light to medium conditions and the Taylors were better in the rough weather.

Final Results 1978
1.       Minski Fabris                          Y 53                                   16.0
2.       Joaquin Blanco                        E 1                                     26.7
3.       Jochen Schümann                    DDR 9                                57.4
4.       R. Güldenpfening                     DDR 21                              62.7
5.       Chris Law                               K 321                                 68.7
6.       Kent Carlsson                         S 677                                 72.7
7.       Stewart Neff                           US 1004                             78.0
8.       José Luis Doreste                    E 109                                 84.0
9.       David Howlett                         K 463                                 89.0
10.     Wolfgang Gerz                        G 1573                               91.0
11.     John Bertrand                         US 1007                             93.0
12.     Guy Liljegren                          S 516                                 93.7
13.     Egidio Babbi                           I 619                                  98.0
14.     Otto Pohlmann                        G 1650                               101.4
15.     Jörgen Lindhardtsen                D 126                                 104.0
16.     Jacques Busquet                     F 723                                 104.0
17.     Ryszard Skarbinski                 PZ 122                               108.0
18.     Marc Neeleman                      H 555                                 115.0
19.     Jaques Rogge                          B 2                                     115.0
20.     Peter Lester                            KZ 191                              125.7
21.     Levent Özgen                          TK 71                                134.0
22.     James Reynolds                      KC 996                              136.0
23.     Manuel Doreste                      E 9                                     139.0
24.     Patrick Spängs                        S 666                                 142.0
25.     August Miller                          US 975                               144.0

 

24. European Championship 1979
Malcesine, Lago di Garda, Italy, June 1-10
44 entries from 23 countries

The measurement was clouded by the start of the station 8 problem. A confusing variety of winds from all sort of strange directions, durability and force blurred the chaotic conditions. The only sailor who preserved orientation was the ruling world champion John Bertrand from the United States, winning the last three races after he had already scored 4/6/6.

Final Results 1979
1.       John Bertrand                         US 1037                             19.7
2.       Jochen Schümann                    DDR 9                                43.0
3.       Kent Carlsson                         S 679                                 50.0
4.       Minski Fabris                          Y 53                                   62.0
5.       Jörg Vetter                              DDR 12                              63.4
6.       Cameron Lewis                       US 1027                             66.7
7.       José Luis Doreste                    E 109                                 77.0
8.       Magnus Liljedahl                     S 589                                 80.7
9.       Otto Pohlmann                        G 1650                               86.7
10.     Ched Proctor                          US 171                               91.7
11.     Elias Hatzipavlis                      GR 180                              94.0
12.     Thomas Jungblut                     G 1                                     95.0
13.     Jacques Rogge                        B 2                                     103.0
14.     Josef Senkyr                           CZ 303                               104.0
15.     Graham Deegan                      KZ 185                              106.0
16.     Mark Neeleman                      H 555                                 106.7
17.     Yves Silvestro                         F 731                                 114.7
18.     Egidio Babbi                           I 633                                  120.0
19.     Filip Willems                           B 15                                   123.0
20.     Wolfgang Mayrhofer               OE 199                              130.0
21.     Sergei Khoretski                     SR 23                                 132.0
22.     Esko Rechardt                        L 183                                 132.0
23.     Miroslav Lostak                      CZ 377                               134.0
24.     Andrea Roost                         Z 9                                     138.0
25.     Boris Zakhorow                      SR 3                                   139.0

 

25. European Championship 1980
Helsinki, Finland, June 10-18
37 entries from 23 countries

As the last dress rehearsal for the Olympic Games to be held shortly in Tallinn, the 1980 European Championship was sailed in Helsinki in very similar conditions. Because of the early Gold Cup in New Zealand, there was also a second extraordinary AGM of the IFA on that occasion. Chris Law tried a Vanguard and found it easier to sail and faster than his standard Taylor. Chris Law already had a big points lead when he started the 6th race in light winds. Chris finished 12th and was the sure 1980 European Champion. In the last race Bertrand decided the battle for the runner-up in his favour against Balashov.

Final Results 1980
1.       Chris Law                               K 321                                 32.4
2.       John Bertrand                         US 1037                             50.7
3.       Andrei Balashov                      SR 2                                   56.4
4.       Mark Neeleman                      H 555                                 67.7
5.       José Luis Doreste                    E 109                                 69.0
6.       Guy Liljegren                          S 686                                 73.7
7.       Sergei Khoretski                     SR 23                                 79.7
8.       Kent Carlsson                         S 679                                 83.0
9.       Wolfgang Mayrhofer               OE 199                              96.7
10.     Jochen Schümann                    DDR 9                                99.7
11.     Martin van Leeuwen                H 565                                 101.0
12.     Skarbinski                               PZ 7                                   102.0
13.     Esko Rechardt                        L 185                                 104.7
14.     Michael Nissen                       G 1706                               105.0
15.     Wolfgang Gerz                        G 1573                               107.0
16.                                                    KZ 2                                  128.0
17.     Miroslav Rychcik                    PZ 75                                 129.0
18.     Keirsblick                               B 24                                   131.0

 

26. European Championship 1981
Athens, Greece, May 23-June 1
46 entries from 22 countries

Five races were sailed in southerly winds with force 3-4 and two with a north wind up to force 7. Everybody was satisfied with the organisation. The only grumbling was heard after the third race when the jury disqualified 11 boats for that old canard of pumping and rocking. All of a sudden, an up to now mediocre former Laser sailor from Denmark shocked the established skippers by winning each and every race. Lasse Hjortnäs managed for the first and most likely last time to win the European Championship with a score of 0.0.

Final Results 1981
1.       Lasse Hjortnäs                        D 143                                 0.0
2.       Jörgen Lindhardtsen                D 142                                 49.7
3.       Otto Pohlmann                        G 1787                               70.7
4.       Martin Pallson                         S 684                                 75.4
5.       S. Khoretski                           SR 23                                 79.5
6.       Wolfgang Gerz                        G 1573                               79.7
7.       Oleg Khoperski                      SR 23                                 85.7
8.       Jochen Schümann                    DDR 9                                85.7
9.       Joaquin Blanco                        E 1                                     94,7
10.     Michael Nissen                       G 1795                               99.4
11.     Wolfgang Mayrhofer               OE 199                              105.0
12.     Mark Neeleman                      H 555                                 107.4
13.     Martin Van Leeuwen               H 565                                 123.7
14.     Henryk Blaszka                       PZ 6                                   125.0
15.     Thomas Oljelund                     S 681                                 129.0
16.     Francisco De Angelis              I 655                                  137.0
17.     Miroslav Rychcik                    PZ 75                                 139.0
18.     Lennart Persson                      S 680                                 141.0
19.     Thomas Schmid                      G 1749                               143.0
20.     Paolo Semeraro                      I 666                                  144.0
21.     Patrick Spängs                        S 685                                 145.0
22.     José Maria v d Ploeg               E 145                                 146.0
23.     Istvan Rujak                            M 200                                154.0
24.     Peter Vollebregt                      H 535                                 163.0
25.     Roberto Benamati                   I 658                                  180.0

 

27. European Championship 1982
Masnou, Spain, September 25-October 3
67 entries from 23 countries

After a disappointing Gold Cup in Holland the top sailors unanimously went to Spain hoping for more wind. There was more wind but also a strong current and on the first day an ugly oil pollution on the water. In the third race the jury disqualified six prominent skippers because of pumping. The selection was not so much based on serious observations but rather exemplary and included Lasse Hjortnäs. After he had won the Gold Cup by a safe margin, Lasse took this European Championship with three times line honour and twice runner-up, discarding that annoying DSQ. After the magic black-top mast Lasse had used in his fabulous 1981 season had been stolen, he made the red-top presentable at court, by winning with 10% of the final score of the runner-up Mark Neeleman.

Final Results 1982
1.       Lasse Hjortnäs                        D 143                                 6.0
2.       Mark Neeleman                      H 555                                 65.0
3.       Thomas Schmid                      G 1793                               73.7
4.       Nikolai Soukhoroukow           SR 14                                 74.7
5.       Mike McIntyre                        K 491                                 75.0
6.       Wolfgang Gerz                        G 1573                               76.0
7.       Luc Choley                             F 100                                 91.0
8.       Henryk Blaszka                       PZ 6                                   95.0
9.       Jochen Schümann                    DDR 9                                96.0
10.     Esko Rechardt                        L 203                                 95.4
11.     Jörgen Lindhardtsen                D 142                                 100.0
12.     Don Nordquist                        S 690                                 102.7
13.     Oleg Khoperski                      SR 21                                 103.7
14.     Joaquin Blanco                        E 179                                 105.7
15.     Otto Pohlmann                        G 1787                               110.7
16.     Toni Ferrer                             E 170                                 112.0
17.     Wolfgang Mayrhofer               OE 199                              116.0
18.     Stefan Myralf                          D 148                                 119.0
19.     José Maria van der Ploeg        E 145                                 121.7
20.     Paolo Semeraro                      I 655                                  128.7
21.     Patrick Spängs                        S 685                                 129.0
22.     Juan E. Mägli                          GU 1                                  133.0
23.     Martin Palsson                        S 684                                 133.0
24.     Francois Le Castrec                F 888                                 139.0
25.     Sjaak Haakman                      H 577                                 141.0
26.     Karsten Kaufmann                  G 1706                               146.0
27.     Frank Butzmann                      DDR 16                              147.0
28.     Andy Pimental                         US 1052                             151.0
29.     Miroslav Rychcik                    PZ 75                                 151.0
30.     Kimo Worthington                  US 1066                             157.0

 

28. European Championship 1983
Neusiedlersee, Austria, June 3-11
63 entries from 24 countries

Lasse Hjortnäs came to Austria determined to defend his title as the ruling European Champion of 1981/82. There were five races with a strong shifty force 4-7 wind on three days. There would have been enough for a sixth race on the afternoon of the third day, but the race committee took pity on the worn out second half of the fleet. Lasse caught a DSQ in the second race but for the rest of them he was not content with less than the runner-up in the heavy-air races. However finally there was very little reliable wind and Hjortnäs collected 59 points, which he had to count since he had to discard his DSQ. Another second place in the last race was not enough to save him. So Jochen Schümann from the DDR won the title without ever winning a race, scoring 2/3/4/8/9/10.

Final Results 1983
1.       Jochen Schümann                    DDR 9                                61.7
2.       Frank Butzmann                      DDR 16                              70.4
3.       Lasse Hjortnäs                        D 143                                 71.0
4.       Jörgen Lindhardtsen                D 142                                 74.4
5.       Mark Neeleman                      H 555                                 78.4
6.       Kimo Worthington                  US 1066                             97.0
7.       Thomas Schmid                      G 1793                               100.1
8.       Peter Vilby                              D 146                                 106.0
9.       Craig Healy                             US 1041                             108.0
10.     Nikolai Soukhoroukow           SR 14                                 114.0
11.     Oleg Khoperski                      SR 21                                 114.7
12.     Larry Lemieux                         KC 201                              126.0
13.     Francois le Castrec                 F 888                                 129.0
14.     Joaquin Blanco                        E 179                                 142.0
15.     Wolfgang Mayrhofer               OE 199                              144.0
16.     Sergej Khoretski                     SR 23                                 156.0
17.     Roberto Benamati                   I 658                                  160.0
18.     Martin Palsson                        S 684                                 162.0
19.     Henryk Blaszka                       PZ 6                                   162.0
20.     Tom Lehan                             US 1070                             164.0
21.     Sjaak Haakman                      H 577                                 168.0
22.     Eric Bornarel                           F 115                                 173.0
23.     Jacek Sobkowiak                   PZ 7                                   175.0
24.     Francisco De Angelis              I 509                                  181.0
25.     Carl Johan Hedberg                S 697                                 184.0
26.     Ron Van Manen                      H 616                                 187.0
27.     Patrick Spängs                        S 685                                 188.0
28.     Fillip Willems                          B 15                                   188.0
29.     Marko Prancevic                    Y 90                                   190.7
30.     Luc Choley                             F 100                                 191.0

 

29. European Championship 1984
Wladislawowo, Poland, June 5-15
35 entries from 17 countries

The entire championship was chaotic but certainly not boring. Although Andy Zawieja warned the participants to avoid a dangerous breakwater at the harbour entrance, gold-medalist Esko Rechardt and co-favourite Lasse Hjortnäs sailed right into the monsters mouth and suffered dearly. Lasse broke his best mast and returned home to look for a new one for the Olympics. Esko was seriously injured.

Racing was also chaotic with shifts and holes in the wind and fog and what have you. But there was also a lot of fine wind and a deserving winner overall: Mike McIntyre from the United Kingdom. Peter Vilby as the runner-up overall with two race wins proved that Denmark had an unexhaustable supply of good sailors - with daddy-cool Lindhardtsen remaining at home, since he had not qualified.

Final Results 1984
1.       Mike McIntyre                        K 491                                 19.0
2.       Peter Vilby                              D 146                                 39.7
3.       Jacek Sobkowiak                   PZ 7                                   41.0
4.       Mark Neeleman                      H 555                                 50.4
5.       Henryk Blaszka                       PZ 6                                   61.4
6.       Roddy Bridge                         K 493                                 64.0
7.       Miroslav Rychcik                    PZ 75                                 65.0
8.       Russell Silvestri                       US 1074                             66.0
9.       Paolo Semeraro                      I 6                                      73.7
10.     Jochen Schümann                    DDR 9                                75.7
11.     Thomas Oljelund                     S 700                                 76.0
12.     Arnoud Hummel                      H 577                                 85.0
13.     Jaroslaw Maciuk                     PZ 52                                 95.7
14.     Fillip Willems                          B 15                                   96.7
15.     Roberto Benamati                   I 658                                  100.0
16.     Chris Pratt                              KA 183                              108.0
17.     Ron Van Manen                      H 616                                 108.0
18.     Tomasz Rumszewicz               PZ 77                                 115.7
19.     Eric Mergenthaler                    MX 33                               115.7
20.     Heike Birke                            DDR 19                              121.0

 

30. European Championship 1985
Athens, Greece, September 7-15
43 entries from 17 countries

Lasse Hjortnäs, usually training in cold to freezing water, obviously liked the warm Mediterranean Sea. Ever since he came into the Finn Class, whenever the Europeans are in that water, he can’t be stopped. Athens was the site of his biggest victory in 1981 when he won with zero points, and in Masnou he had a mere 6.0. In 1985 again in Athens, Lasse only collected 17.0 which is not so bad in contrast to the runner-up Lindhardtsen with 35.4 and third Vilby 42.4. After Gold, Silver, and Bronze had gone to Sweden in 1969, the Danish team managed the same trick in 1985 to demoralise the rest of the world.

Final Results 1985
1.       Lasse Hjortnäs                        D 143                                 17.0
2.       Jörgen Lindhardtsen                D 142                                 35.4
3.       Peter Vilby                              D 156                                 42.4
4.       Oleg Khoperski                      SR 21                                 45.4
5.       Peter Peet                               H 630                                 46.7
6.       Paolo Semeraro                      I 716                                  52.1
7.       Arnoud Hummel                      H 577                                 62.7
8.       Stuart Childerley                     K 503                                 78.7
9.       Thomas Schmid                      G 1793                               83.0
10.     Henryk Blaszka                       PZ 6                                   86.0
11.     Jacek Sobkowiak                   PZ 7                                   89.0
12.     Michael Luschan                     OE 211                              94.0
13.     Eric Mergenthaler                    MX 33                               95.0
14.     Ralf Kadenbach                      G 1880                               104.0
15.     Jaroslav Maciuk                      PZ 52                                 109.0
16.     Josef Pirsch                             G 1843                               115.0
17.     Ron van Manen                       H 631                                 115.0
18.     Marco Passoni                        I 707                                  116.0
19.     Enrico Passoni                        I 722                                  117.0
20.     Armando Ortolano                  GR 211                              120.0

 

31. European Championship 1986
Hyeres, France, April 29-May 7
45 entries from 21 countries

Held immediately after the pre-Olympic week in Hyeres, the Finns stayed on for another week. In the first race, the force 1-2 allowed John Hofland line honours, but caused 8 boats to be disqualified for violating rule 54. Johan Hedberg took the early lead and lead up to race 6, but a 30th in that race dropped him to second. Oleg Khoperski who performed with outstanding harmony between man and nature won races 3, 4 and 5 came 3rd in the 6th and covered Hedberg in the final race to take the Championship by 23.0 points. After the 4th race there were some scandals because of the 20 kg weight limit on wet clothing and the attempt of some sailors to secretly get rid of some of their equipment on the way home, but only one helm was disqualified.

Final Results 1986
1.       Oleg Khoperski                      SR 21                                 37.7
2.       Johan Hedberg                        S 700                                 60.7
3.       Heiko Birke                            DDR 19                              68.7
4.       Stig Westergaard                    D 155                                 80.0
5.       Frank Butzmann                      DDR 16                              88.0
6.       John Cutler                             KZ 234                              103.0
7.       Paolo Semeraro                      I 6                                      104.7
8.       Jacek Sobkowiak                   PZ 7                                   113.7
9.       Jörgen Lindhardtsen                D 142                                 115.7
10.     Ralf Kadenbach                      G 6                                     116.7
11.     Welf-Bodo Lixenfeld               G 1706                               119.0
12.     Peter Vilby                              D 156                                 119.7
13.     Andrei Nikandrov                   SR 1                                   121.0
14.     Othmar Müller v. Blumencron  G 1835                               122.0
15.     Goran Sandberg                      S 698                                 127.7
16.     Michael Luschan                     OE 211                              130.0
17.     Thomas Schmid                      G 1793                               130.4
18.     Emanuele Vaccari                   I 727                                  131.7
19.     Henryk Blaszka                       PZ 6                                   133.0
20.     John Hofland                           H 622                                 141.0
21.     Kristian Sjöberg                      L 201                                 143.7
22.     Enrico Passoni                        I 722                                  152.0
23.     Arnoud Hummel                      H 577                                 155.0
24.     Hans Spitzauer                        OE 218                              155.0
25.     Mike Milner                            KC 4                                  158.0

32. European Championship 1987
Rungsted, Denmark, August 3-12
48 entries

The event was sailed from the Royal Danish YC just north of Copenhagen in a mixture of conditions. After the usual measurement problems, Peter Vilby won the first two races in force 2-3. In race one the initial winner was disqualified for too carrying much weight. Stuart Childerley led race 3 in less wind until the last mark, when an incident with José Luis Doreste let him through and he had to settle for second. Lawrence Crispin won race 4 after leading the whole way, sometimes by a whole leg. After Otto Strandvig won race 5 and Michael Fisher won race 6, any of 7 helms could have won going into the last race. Arnoud Hummel won the final race but an 8th for Childerley was enough to win the series without winning a race. His lowest race was 15th in this high scoring series.

Final Results 1987
1.       Stuart Childerley                     K 503                                 78.0
2.       Peter Vilby                              D 156                                 97.0
3.       Otto Strandvig                        D 146                                 97.0
4.       Lawrence Crispin                    K 498                                 98.0
5.       Thomas Schmid                      G 1903                               99.7
6.       Henryk Blaszka                       PZ 6                                   102.0
7.       Welf-Bodo Lixenfeld               G 1706                               102.7
8.       José Luis Doreste                    E 109                                 104.0
9.       Michael Luschan                     OE 211                              106.0
10.     Esko Rechardt                        L 211                                 109.0
11.     Stig Westergaard                    D 155                                 110.1
12.     Louis Verloop                         US 1066                             120.7
13.     Arnoud Hummel                      H 577                                 127.0
14.     R-J Kadenbach                       G 6                                     129.7
15.     Jacek Sobkowiak                   PZ 7                                   132.7
16.     Hans Spitzauer                        OE 218                              139.0
17.     John Hofland                           H 622                                 144.7
18.     Othmar M.v. Blumencron        G 1892                               146.0
19.     Dirk Löwe                              DDR 14                              151.7
20.     Ruben Serra                            E 106                                 152.0

33. European Championship 1988
Medemblik, Holland, June 5-10
50 entries from 22 countries

The event was sailed in wet conditions with a Force 2-4 wind. Most sailors had very inconsistent results throughout the week. Second placed Mergenthaler won the first and fifth race but apart from that never scored above tenth. John Cutler, Mark Neeleman, Armando Ortolano and Henryk Blaszka all won races but were not consistent enough to capitalise. Only one sailor managed a good strong of results. Doreste counted a 2-6-4-4-7 and dropped his 26th in race 5 to win the Europeans, just prior to his Olympic victory in Pusan later that summer.

Final Results 1988
1.       José Luis Doreste                    E 109                                 43.7
2.       Eric Mergenthaler                    MX 33                               55.0
3.       Hans Spitzauer                        OE 218                              58.0
4.       Stig Westergaard                    D 155                                 60.4
5.       Chris Pratt                              KA 183                              61.7
6.       Luc Choley                             F 100                                 68.0
7.       John Cutler                             KZ 234                              74.7
8.       Mark Neeleman                      H 555                                 82.0
9.       Joaquin Blanco                        E 179                                 84.7
10.     Roy Heiner                             H 638                                 88.7
11.     Lars Bergenzaun                     S 712                                 89.7
12.     Marco Passoni                        I 710                                  95.7
13.     Lauri Rechardt                        L 185                                 97.7
14.     Kristian Sjöberg                      L 201                                 98.0
15.     Armando Ortolano                  GR 211                              102.0
16.     Henryk Blaszka                       PZ 6                                   116.0
17.     Leith Armit                              KZ 231                              120.0
18.     Otto Strandvig                        D 146                                 123.0
19.     John Hofland                           H 622                                 127.7
20.     Bjorn Westergaard                  D 165                                 128.0

34. European Championship 1989#
Helsinki, Finland, July 2-11
54 entries from 20 countries

Helsinki was where it had all started in 1952, and the Finns again went back in 1989. A change in the quota rule allowed the same entries as for a Gold Cup. The event belonged to Hans Spitzauer from the start after he won the first two races. Othmar Müller von Blumencron won the light weather third race and Lauri Rechardt won the fourth, with Spitzauer maintaining his points in second. The fifth race was won by Finnish Jali Makila followed by Rechardt and Mats Caap. Oleg Khoperski had worked out a good lead in the final race, but with thunderstorms around, a massive shift made a nonsense of the final beat and the race committee cancelled the race. This left Spitzauer the overall winner. On the spare day a series of match races were held. Spitzauer and Larry Lemieux reached the final tied and after one win each, no wind and rain stopped play.

Final Results 1989
1.       Hans Spitzauer                        OE 218                              14.7
2.       Othmar Müller v. Blumencron  Z 418                                 26.0
3.       Lauri Rechardt                        L 185                                 32.0
4.       Mats Caap                              S 718                                 41.7
5.       Thomas Schmid                      G 1903                               44.4
6.       Oleg Khoperski                      SR 14                                 51.0
7.       Lawrence Lemieux                  US 1086                             57.0
8.       Lars Bergenzaun                     S 698                                 57.0
9.       Jali Makila                              L 212                                 59.0
10.     Emanuele Vaccari                   I 727                                  67.7
11.     Stig Westergaard                    D 155                                 68.0
12.     Hank Lammens                       KC 19                                74.0
13.     Peter Aldag                             G 1993                               74.0
14.     Mike Milner                            KC 4                                  82.0
15.     Kristian Sjöberg                      L 201                                 83.0
16.     Welf-Bodo Lixenfeld               G 1706                               84.7
17.     Otto Strandvig                        D 146                                 93.0
18.     Farkas Litkey                          M 161                                95.7
19.     Nick Jaco                               KC 13                                97.0
20.     Fredrik Lööf                           S 684                                 98.7

 

35. European Championship 1990
Hayling Island, England, June 1-9
58 entries from 21 countries

The rather windy conditions seemed to suit two sailors, Stig Westergaard and Hans Spitzauer, and early on the feeling was that one of these two would win the Europeans. Westergaard was superior upwind while Spitzauer was in a class of his own on the reaches; having to catch up 100 m was just a minor problem. Second overall Spitzauer won the first race, final winner Westergaard won races 4 and 5. 3rd place overall went to Othmar Müller von Blumencron who won the 3rd race and the last one, and closed the gap on Spitzauer over the last few races. All boats had undergone thorough measurement checking by Peter Mohilla and as usual the padding manufacturers were clapping their hands! But at least all the boats ended up the same.

Final Results 1990
1.       Stig Westergaard                    D 155                                 31.4
2.       Hans Spitzauer                        OE 218                              46.7
3.       Othmar Müller v Blumencron   Z 418                                 49.7
4.       Lasse Hjortnäs                        D 143                                 72.7
5.       Jali Makila                              L 212                                 89.0
6.       Andre Budzien                        DDR 7                                96.0
7.       Bjorn Westergaard                  D 165                                 98.0
8.       Armando Ortolano                  GR 211                              100.0
9.       Peter Aldag                             G 1920                               108.7
10.     Thomas Schmid                      G 1903                               115.7
11.     Hank Lammens                       KC 19                                124.0
12.     Lawrence Lemieux                  KC 201                              130.0
13.     Dirk Löwe                              DDR 16                              135.0
14.     Bart Zielhuis                            H 544                                 135.0
15.     Tim Tavinor                            K 521                                 135.4
16.     Mike Milner                            KC 4                                  136.7
17.     Brian Ledbetter                       US 1080                             140.7
18.     Fredrik Lööf                           S 684                                 150.7
19.     Lars Bergenzaun                     S 698                                 151.0
20.     Marco Passoni                        I 760                                  153.0
21.     Richard Clarke                        KC 11                                153.0
22.     Enrico Passoni                        I 722                                  160.0
23.     Kiko Villalonga                       E 106                                 162.0
24.     Rob McMillan                         K 493                                 179.0
25.     Jez Fanstone                           K 498                                 179.0
26.     Toni Poncell                            E 12                                   179.0
27.     Mark Oliver                            KZ 230                              193.0
28.     Emanuele Vacarri                    I 727                                  183.0
29.     Roger Schulz                           G 1984                               188.0
30.     Richard Lott                            K 484                                 188.0

36. European Championship 1991
Anzio, Italy, June 10-18
68 entries from 24 countries

The wind did not often get above 10 knots all week and only in the last race was there the wind and big waves associated with Anzio. Despite being a ‘legend’ Larry Lemieux had yet to win a major title - and he had been trying for 15 years. Apart from a 23rd in race 3, he never scored below 8th place, but also never won a race. José van der Ploeg was leading after three races. Going into the last race, these two were tied on points and even had the same discard. Lemieux lead round the top mark and kept van der Ploeg in his sights during the race to finish third with van der Ploeg in fourth, but it was enough for Lemieux to win his first major Finn title. Kiko Villalonga won two races to finish third overall and a strong finish from Stuart Childerley moved him up to fourth overall.

Final Results 1991
1.       Lawrence Lemieux                  KC 201                              39.4
2.       José van der Ploeg                  E 105                                 41.4
3.       Kiko Villalonga                       E 106                                 64.0
4.       Stuart Childerley                     K 503                                 69.0
5.       Oleg Khoperski                      SR 14                                 89.7
6.       Björn Westergaard                  D 165                                 121.7
7.       Stig Westergaard                    D 155                                 135.0
8.       Hank Lammens                       KC 19                                136.0
9.       Mats Caap                              S 718                                 136.0
10.     David Himmell                        US 1066                             138.0
11.     Enrico Passoni                        I 722                                  138.7
12.     André Budzien                        G 70                                   143.7
13.     Arif Gürdenli                           TK 211                              144.0
14.     Yuri Tokovoi                          SR 21                                 146.7
15.     Lasse Hjortnäs                        D 143                                 147.0
16.     Mike Milner                            KC 4                                  153.0
17.     Eric Mergenthaler                    MX 33                               155.0
18.     Alec Cutler                             US 1044                             157.7
19.     Joaquin Blanco                        E 179                                 160.0
20.     Wlopz. Radwaniecko              PZ 6                                   165.7
21.     François Le Castrec                F 749                                 170.7
22.     Alexander Rinne                      G 31                                   171.0
23.     Fredrik Lööf                           S 684                                 173.0
24.     Pawel Pawlaczyk                    PZ 7                                   174.0
25.     Michael Fellmann                    G 1916                               174.0
26.     Jeremy Fanstone                     K 498                                 175.0
27.     Anders Lundmark                   S 700                                 179.0
28.     Emanuele Vaccari                   I 727                                  179.0
29.     Dirk Löwe                              G 14                                   180.0
30.     Otto Strandvig                        D 146                                 194.0
31.     Mark Herrmann                      US 1026                             200.7
32.     Philippe Presti                         F 762                                 204.0
33.     Othmar Müller v Blumencron   Z 418                                 207.0
34.     Hans Spitzauer                        OE 218                              212.0

37. European Championship 1992
Gdansk, Poland, June 6-14
51 entries from 24 countries

After two windy and wavy races, Glenn Bourke was going well with two first places but a knee injury put him out of the competition mid way through. The competition was then between Stuart Childerley, Oleg Khoperski and Dirk Löwe. Going into the last race, after the much lighter second half of the regatta, Khoperski lead Childerley by 1.3 points and Löwe was also in with a chance. But after a massive shift just after the start they were all out of it. Khoperski who had retired in the first race could not afford a bad result so struggled on to finish 23rd. This left Childerley as the winner and Löwe in second, enough to win him the German Olympic spot. However, 2 boats ahead of Khoperski were disqualified so he jumped to 0.7 points ahead of Löwe to finish as runner up and cost Löwe the German place at the summer Olympics. Childerley was always consistent and was the rightful winner. Philippe Presti sailed a magnificent regatta to finish 4th after winning the last two races.

 

Final Results 1992
1.       Stuart Childerley                     K 503                                 56.4
2.       Oleg Khoperski                      IYRU 14                            63.7
3.       Dirk Löwe                              G 14                                   64.4
4.       Philippe Presti                         F 762                                 67.0
5.       Eric Mergenthaler                    MX 33                               80.0
6.       Fredrik Lööf                           S 684                                 91.0
7.       Luca Devoti                            I 789                                  91.4
8.       Emanuele Vaccari                   I 727                                  93.7
9.       François Le Castrec                F 748                                 102.0
10.     Hans Spitzauer                        OE 218                              102.7
11.     Karlo Kuret                            CRO 110                           102.7
12.     Armando Ortolano                  G 1                                     110.7
13.     Anders Lundmark                   S 700                                 111.0
14.     Malte Philipp                           G 25                                   115.7
15.     Arif Gürdenli                           TK 211                              116.0
16.     Yuri Tokovoi                          SR 21                                 121.0
17.     Othmar M v Blumencron         Z 418                                 129.0
18.     Enrico Passoni                        I 722                                  134.0
19.     Conrad Simpson                     IR 11                                  141.0
20.     Atilla Szilvàssy                        M 211                                145.7

38. European Championship 1993
L’Estartit, Spain, June 3-12
35 entries from 20 countries

For the first time, the event was combined with the Junior European Championship, the juniors started 10 minutes after the Seniors. Stig Westergaard was the convincing winner in his new Devoti boat with a carbon fibre mast. After scoring a series of 2,4,3,1,1 and 2 he did not have to sail the last race. Confusion reigned in the first race when the RC signalled a change in course direction. The top seven went to the wrong finish line while Björn and Stig Westergaard in 8th and 9th sailed to the correct finish line to take 1st and 2nd. Heiner, Presti, Devoti and van der Ploeg filed for average points. In what became known as Heiner’s comedy hour, he put the mark boat’s compass bearing board 60 m away outside the protest room. He then put his car with the headlights on behind it and convinced the Jury that the glare of the sun was why he hadn’t been able to see the new bearing. He won the protest and the four were awarded average points!

Final Results 1993
1.       Stig Westergaard                    DEN 155                            19.7
2.       José Maria van de Ploeg         ESP 105                             34.1
3.       Hans Spitzauer                        AUT 1                                57.6
4.       Björn Westergaard                  DEN 165                            63.7
5.       Luca Devoti                            ITA 789                             64.1
6.       Philippe Presti                         FRA 762                            64.8
7.       Fredrik Lööf                           SWE 7                               65.7
8.       Roy Heiner                             NED 638                            68.9
9.       Gerd Griegel                           GER 71                              95.7
10.     Carl Akerson                          SWE 700                           101.7
11.     Xavier Rohart                         FRA 778                            106.0
12.     Ville Aalto-Setala                    FIN 2                                 106.0
13.     Philipp Malte                           GER 25                              108.0
14.     Sebastien Godefroid                BEL 7                                 110.0
15.     Dirk Löwe                              GER 14                              119.0
16.     Emanuele Vaccari                   ITA 727                             127.0
17.     John Driscoll                           IRL 1                                  130.0
18.     James Lyne                             GBR 503                            131.0
19.     Michael Fellmann                    GER 79                              133.0
20.     Igor Tkachuk                          UKR 105                           134.0

39. European Championship 1994
Çesme, Turkey, July 5-13
34 entries from 17 countries

The ‘94 Europeans took place in the wonderfully warm and sunny waters of Ilica Bay, Çesme. With a NW breeze varying from 6 to 30 knots, a beautiful race course only 15 minutes outside the marina and no one else in the bay except turtles, dolphins and flying fish, this was the perfect location for a major championship. And everyone loved it. The 1992 Olympic Gold Medalist was still looking to win his first Gold Cup or Europeans. He started well with a 2-1-1-3, had his worst race in race 5 with an 8th, then won the 6th and had the luxury of not having to sail the last race. Luca Devoti kept his cool like never before, won three races and finished second.

Final Results 1994
1.       José Maria van der Ploeg        ESP                                    16.0
2.       Luca Devoti                            ITA                                    23.0
3.       Fredrik Lööf                           SWE                                  30.0
4.       Hans Spitzauer                        AUT                                   33.0
5.       Roy Heiner                             NED                                   37.0
6.       Mauro Fioretto                       ITA                                    39.0
7.       Philippe Presti                         FRA                                   42.0
8.       Xavier Rohart                         FRA                                   44.0
9.       Michael Maier                         CZE                                   44.0
10.     Dirk Löwe                              GER                                   59.0
11.     Arif Gürdenli                           TUR                                   61.0
12.     Karlo Kuret                            CRO                                  72.0
13.     Dominik Zycki                        POL                                   72.0
14.     Mateusz Kusznierewicz           POL                                   78.0
15.     Haluk Babacan                       TUR                                   80.0
16.     Peter Theurer                          SUI                                    81.0
17.     Sebastien Godefroid                BEL                                    81.0
18.     Philippe Rogge                        BEL                                    84.0
19.     Michael Fellmann                    GER                                   88.0
20.     Jali Makila                              FIN                                    100.0

40. European Championship 1995
Lake Balaton, Hungary, September 10-16

75 entries from 27 countries

The expected weather on Lake Balaton was light winds and big shifts. After a good start to the regatta the wind disappeared, two days were lost and only three races were sailed in the first four days. Then the wind came and two two-race days were sailed. The racing turned into a three-horse-race. Defending champion José Maria van der Ploeg started well with two second places, scored a 17th in the third race then built up a commanding points lead with a 2-7-1 to go into the final race with 13.5 points ahead of Philippe Presti with 19.75 and Fredrik Lööf with 26.75 points. In the last race Lööf needed to win, which he did, but van der Ploeg had done enough to retain his title with an 11th and Presti had slipped to third overall after finishing 20th which he had to count after an earlier 45th.

Final Results 1995
1.       José Maria van der Ploeg        ESP 105                             24.75
2.       Fredrik Lööf                           SWE 7                               27.50
3.       Philippe Presti                         FRA 762                            39.75
4.       Hans Spitzauer                        AUT 1                                54.00
5.       Lasse Hjortnäs                        DEN 143                            57.00
6.       Xavier Rohart                         FRA 778                            65.75
7.       Richard Stenhouse                  GBR 540                            67.00
8.       Karlo Kuret                            CRO 110                           71.00
9.       Philippe Rogge                        BEL 2                                 74.00
10.     Michael Fellmann                    GER 79                              84.75
11.     Sebastien Godefroid                BEL 7                                 85.00
12.     Oleg Khoperski                      RUS 21                              87.00
13.     Michael Maier                         CZE 304                            91.00
14.     Othmar M v Blumencron         SUI 441                             91.00
15.     Emilios Papathanasiou             GRE 6                                92.00
16.     Yuri Tokovoi                          UKR 21                             94.00
17.     Hank Lammens                       CAN 19                             98.00
18.     Farkas Litkey                          HUN 55                             99.00
19.     Emanuele Vaccari                   ITA 727                             101.00
20.     Michalis Papadopoulos           GRE 11                              105.75
21.     Mateusz Kusznierewicz           POL 17                              108.00
22.     Igor Tkachuk                          UKR 1                               110.00
23.     Dirk Löwe                              GER 14                              121.00
24.     John Driscoll                           IRL 1                                  122.00
25.     Roman Teply                          CZE 3                                143.00
26.     Michael Hruby                        CZE 479                            149.00
27.     Gerd Griegel                           GER 71                              152.00
28.     Wiebe Schippers                     NED 696                            153.00
29.     Peter Theurer                          SUI 440                             154.00
30.     Vasco Batista                          POR 80                              168.00

 

41. European Championship 1996
Hospitalet, Spain, June 7-15
36 entries from 18 countries

The Senior and Junior fleets were combined for the 1996 Championships. Some of the top sailors had already gone to train in Savannah prior to the Olympics but defending champion José Maria van der Ploeg and current World Champion Philippe Presti both decided to start. The races were sailed in light to medium winds coming from the open sea. Van der Ploeg showed his Olympic form again: he never finished worse than third and defended his title in style. He had good speed and let the others make the mistakes in the shifty winds. Runner-up and top Junior Mateusz would go on to win Gold in the Savannah Olympics later that summer.

Final Results 1996
1.       José Maria van der Ploeg        ESP                                    8.50
2.       Mateusz Kusznierewicz           POL                                   20.00
3.       Sebastien Godefroid                BEL                                    26.00
4.       Yuri Tokovoi                          UKR                                  32.00
5.       Michael Maier                         CZE                                   34.75
6.       Emilios Papathanasiou             GRE                                   36.75
7.       Ian Ainslie                               RSA                                   37.75
8.       Emanuele Vaccari                   ITA                                    39.75
9.       Philippe Presti                         FRA                                   43.00
10.     Michael Fellmann                    GER                                   46.00
11.     Philippe Rogge                        BEL                                    47.00
12.     Michal Hruby                          CZE                                   54.00
13.     Paul McKenzie                       AUS                                   62.00
14.     Xavier Rohart                         FRA                                   64.00
15.     Balazs Hadju                           HUN                                  69.00
16.     Andreas Buchert                     GER                                   77.00
17.     Manolis Marselos                    GRE                                   77.00
18.     Vasco Batista                          POR                                   83.00
19.     Jan Willem Kok                      NED                                   84.00
20.     Pascal Rambeau                      FRA                                   93.00
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