| TAVRIA, PORTUGAL-(18-8-2006) Winds of glory have been blowing on the sails of Matos Rosa and Lacerda, competing on 420. Just one day from ending the competition, the Portuguese from Clube Naval de Cascais may become the great revelation of this Championship.
On 420, atentions were drawn closely to António Matos Rosa and Francisco Lacerda. The youngsters from Clube Naval de Cascais are one step from becoming European Champions. Despite a less favourable outcome at the end of the day, scoring 27, 10 and 11 on the day’s regattas, winds seem to be picking their Portuguese sails.
Matos Rosa states: “Sailing today was hard, particularly on the last regatta, during which we broke our spi. Tomorrow the pressure will be even greater but since I wasn’t expecting a title, even a second place won’t be disappointing.”
The New Zealanders, Evans/Burling, hold on to the first place, followed by the French Balzeau/Fountaine.
One day from ending the Championship, no relevant changes can be referred on 470. The double-hand British team Patiente/Grube leads the class, seconded by the Croatians Fantela/Marenic and thirded by the Greek team, Fantela/Marenic.
Tomás Silva and Ricardo Schedel, one of the Portuguese favourite teams, hasn’t been corresponding the expectations. Silva admits to be somewhat disappointed with the outcome: “The Championship started well and huge expectations were formed. People do not grasp how hard it is to sail an 8-year old sailing boat. Of course the boat does not account for all the sailing”, said the athlete.
The Swiss Ladies Team, Emanuelle Rol and Anne Sophie Thilo, will hardly loose the European Champion Title since they have about 100 points parting them from the second contestants, the German team Wagner/Steinherr. Rol and Thilo express some fatigue but emphasize: “we came to win”. Which hasn’t been an easy goal since the team is 5 kilograms underweighted for the class’s optimum (between 110 and 145).
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