Australia And Austria Triumph At 470 Europeans

After a week-long series across a very diverse range of conditions, the final Medal Races at this year’s Europeans brought big breeze to Lake Garda, with 30 knots winds testing the top ten crews in both men’s and women’s events.

Amongst the men, the world #1 crew of Nathan WILMOT and Malcolm PAGE (AUS) secured overall victory to add to their recent win at the ISAF Grade 1 Delta Lloyd Regatta. The Aussies were closely followed by World Champions Nic ASHER and Elliot WILLIS (GBR), who as the best-placed European team are crowned 2008 470 European Champions. Dutch brothers Sven COSTER and Kalle COSTER completed the podium.

Israel’s Gideon KLIGER and Udi GAL and the Argentinean crew of Javier CONTE and Juan DE LA FUENTE rounded out the top five. Nick ROGERS and Joe GLANFIELD (GBR), who beat off the challenge of ASHER and WILLIS for selection to the 2008 British Olympic team, finished sixth overall.

In the women’s fleet, the consistent scoring of Sylvia VOGL and Carolina FLATSCHER (AUT) proved to be decisive. Their third-place finish in the Medal Race was enough to secure them the 2008 European title by ten points. The Swiss team of Emmanuelle ROL and Anne-Sophie THILO put in a career-best performance to take second place overall, just ahead of the Australians Elise RECHICHI and Tessa PARKINSON.