Twelve Europe Sailors joined the 49ers, Finns and 470's to improve their British National Ranking at Hayling Island sailing Club on 4th & 5th May.

Race 1, Tricky light off shore winds made for some challenging racing! The races were short, approx 35mins so there was no room for error. Bryony Percy won the opening race with Kirsty Bonar and Debbie Winstanley coming in close behind.

Race 2, Displaying experience, Kirsty dived off low after the last mark jumping from 5th to 1st at the finish in the second race with Debbie 2nd and Andrea 3rd. This move put Kirsty in the lead over night as the third race was eventually abandoned after 360' shift followed by the wind dying.

The biggest battle of the weekend was between Andrea Brewster and Laura Baldwin for the 1st place non-lottery funded sailor. The winner would get the Holt sponsorship, pre- qualification to the European and World Championships and the top Grant from the RYA for Spa, Kiel, Europeans and the Worlds. A lot to win or loose. Laura had a one-point lead going into the event with a 4th & 6th in the last two National Ranking events. Andrea had a 4th & 7th. After the first day the girls were on equal points for this event.

Race 3, Andrea was first to the windward mark and finished 3rd. Debbie won with Kirsty 2nd. Emily Saunderson had a good race finishing 9th. Elaine Turner had her best race too after she port tacked through the fleet on the start. She finished 7th.

Race 4, Laura fought back by being 1st to the windward mark and finished 2nd giving her a 1 point lead over Andrea who finished 5th going into the last race… Debbie won again with Kirsty 4th. The battle for overall winner was clearly now between Kirsty and Debbie on equal points so the last race had a lot riding on it! Chris Gill had a good race finishing 3rd.

Race 5, The wind Gods were against Laura as she got stuck out on the right hand side of the course on a lifting tack to the mark but without the pressure which seemed to be gifted to Andrea alone down the middle of the course. Andrea sailed to victory rounding the windward mark first, finishing the race 2nd with Laura in 5th.

Kirsty got a winning preasure band at the top left of the course which let her sneak in round the second windward mark just ahead of Andrea with Debbie close behind in 3rd. This move crowned Kirsty the overall winner with Debbie in second and Andrea in 3rd.