Great conditions welcome the 51-boat fleet in Copenhagen, Denmark

Strong breeze, sun and a very eager fleet are the ingredients that made Day One of the 2022 Star Europeans a memorable one. The wind was coming from West/North-West at 10 to 15 knots with gusts of 18, making it challenging yet compelling, for the 53-boat fleet to manage their way on the course on both races.
 
The first race was brilliantly won by the freshly crowned North American Champions Jack Jennings and Pedro Trouche (USA/BRA), they were chased by Piet Eckert and Frederico Melo (SUI/POR), the best of the day, and local skipper Jorgen Shönherr with crew Markus Koy (DEN/GER).

The second race started right on time, about 30 minutes after the end of the first one. The wind was still a bit shifty both in intensity and direction, but not so that it would affect fair racing. The best ones this time were Germans: former Star Class President Hubert Merkelbach with his crew Kilian Weise. They sailed a flawless race that combined with a sixth in the first one have them close the day in second while the overall provisional leaders Eckert/Melo closed race two in third place.

"It was a good first day but we had some ups and downs", commented Pedro Trouche back in the harbor. "In the first race we sailed very well and we managed to keep a good pace in the first upwind playing and protecting the left which gave us the lead at the first top mark and in the downwind we were very happy to hit the shifts and sail with pressure opening the advantage for the second upwind and last downwind. So we are happy with both our speed and boat handling".
 
Tomorrow, July 8th the first race is scheduled for 11,30 am (GMT+1) with two races. Same time for both Saturday and Sunday July 10th, but only one race is planned on the last day.

 
TOP 5 AFTER DAY 1

1   Piet Eckert                   Frederico Melo    5 pts.
2   Hubert Merkelbach      Kilian Weise         7 pts.
3   Lars Hendriksen         Jan Eli Gravad     8 pts.
4   Jorgen Shönherr          Markus Koy        10 pts.
5   Jack Jennings              Pedro Trouche   11 pts.