Sixth overall for Alistair Richardson and Peter Greenhalgh, one place ahead of Paul Brotherton and Simon Hiscocks, at the 49er European Championship (which finished today) consolidates Great Britain’s position amongst the leading dozen nations in the Olympic skiff class.

Although neither of the two leading Team GBR crews were able to produce the results that were needed today to lift them from fifth (Richardson) and eighth (Brotherton) overall last night into the medals, individual race results remain promising. Both crews also leave Brest on the French Atlantic coast with a clear plan of the work ahead that is needed to challenge for podium positions.

“We’re fairly happy and we see it as a positive result but we’ve had a few things conspire against us this week,” reflected Olympic Silver Medallist Simon Hiscocks after racing. “We had an OCS yesterday and Paul (Brotherton) has had the flu all week so he hasn’t been able to sail 100% to his potential. On the plus side, we’ve learnt some things about the rig and about starting and communication in the boat. We’ve got a long way to go as the small things make a difference and it takes a long time to get the dynamics of sailing together just right”.

Considering Team GBR’s overall position, Stephen Park, RYA Olympic Development Squad Manager said: “Our results were reasonable as we have three new crews sailing together whilst this is the second event this season for the only established team (Alistair and Peter) after they have had a winter off through injury. Some of them were disappointed as they felt they were capable of better results but it’s still very early days”.

Danes Michael Hestbek and Hansen Rasmus Terp won the series from Iker Martinez and Xabier Fernandez (Spain) but current world champions Santiago Lopez-Vasquez and Javier de la Plaza (Spain) sailed a perfect final day in the 10-14 knot breeze to score three first places and move from sixth overall into the Bronze medal position.

49er European Championship Gold Fleet Final
Results (after 5 days)

• 1. Michael Hestbek and Hansen Terp Rasmus (Den) 28pts
• 2. Iker Martinez and Xabier Fernandez (Esp) 34pts
• 3. Santiago Lopez – Vasquez and Javier de la Plaza (Esp) 36pts

Team GBR positions:

• 6. Alistair Richardson and Peter Greenhalgh – 45pts
• 7. Paul Brotherton and Simon Hiscocks – 53pts
• 12. Ian Barker and Harvey Hillary – 82pts
• 22. Chris Draper and Mark Asquith – 144pts