The 2003 Europe Class Nationals took place this year at Warsash SC over the 19th and 20th July. Combined with the Finn and Blaze Nationals, the well-organised racing took place in the Solent on windward/leeward and trapezoid courses. Race one gave a good idea of the final finishing order with Chris Gill, James Eynon and Ian Stow finishing each race in that order. As last year, Gill proved exceptionally quick, especially upwind, and without the girls present this year, looked a sure contender for the honours at the end of the day.


Sunday dawned with a decent F3-4 blowing with Gill needing only one more race win to take the title. Al Green missed the first day but on the second provided Gill with a good battle for first place in each race, even though he couldn't win overall honours. Laurie found his speed on the second day and got into the battle for second place with Eynon and Stow. After poor results in the first two races, Eynon pulled back to take a third in the last race and with it 2nd place. Laurie sailed into third with Stow and Watson snapping at his heels in fourth and fifth respectively.

Overall results:

Pos Sail No Helm Club R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 Pts
1 352 Chris Gill Portishead Y&SC 1 1 1 1 3 1 4
2 373 James Eynon Weston SC 2 2 2 7 6 3 9
3 344 Robert Laurie Harlow & Blackwater SC 8 6 7 2 2 2 12
4 377 Ian Stowe Weston SC 3 3 3 5 5 6 14
5 371 Barbara Watson Warsash SC 5 4 5 4 4 4 16
6 330 Richard Eagleton Bexhill SC 4 5 6 8 8 5 20
7 331 Peter Ruff Weston SC 6 DNF DNC 6 7 7 26
8 343X Heather Back Weston SC 7 7 4 10 9 9 27
9 335     DNC DNC DNC 3 1 DNF 34
10 319 Paul Robson Black Swan SC 10 8 8 11 10 10 36
11 302 Gareth Williams Errwood SC 11 9 10 9 11 8 36
12 347 Lynne Ratcliffe Bough Beech SC 9 11 9 DNC DNC DNC 44
13 216 Roger Thorpe-Ward ..... France 12 10 12 12 12 11 45
14 316 Sarah Pullen Bexhill SC 13 12 11 DNC DNC DNC 51

Mens' Trophy: Chris Gill
Ladies' Trophy: Barbara Watson
Veteran's Trophy: Ian Stow