Sailing Champions League 2016

32 teams representing some of Europe’s most respected yacht clubs will meet at the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda Clubs from 13 nations, including Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy and Sweden gathered in Porto Cervo, Sardinia to battle it out on the waters to take the crown of “Best Sailing Club of the Year”.

With unpredictable light E/NE winds combined with a tricky swell and fierce chop, not only were unusual for the locals (expecting Mistral winds from the west), but provided a complex race area where one bad result could turn your championship upside down.

Consistency is key in any sailing event but not more than the Sailing Champions League where there is no discards and so every race / point matters. 34 races completed over 9 flights, with the final 2 races of flight 9 being awarded average points due to running out of time, provided a fascinating platform that kept every viewer gripped right up to the final moments.

But needless to say there was 1 team that stood out from the bunch, winning the event with a race to spare was Deutscher Touring Y.C. who with a consistent string of top 3 results (1 x 1st, 6 x 2nd, 1 x 3rd & an 8th) (The 8th being there already crowned sail) dominated the league table with a hugely impressive set of results.

A huge congratulations to Deutscher Touring Y.C. for there win but closely behind were 2 Swiss teams, Regattaclub Bodensee 2nd and Regattaclub Oberhofen 3rd.

8 different nations within the top 10 shows the calibre and depth of the national leagues, which we watch eagerly and look forward to welcoming those new nations that look to earn their places and represent their clubs and nation in next year Champions League here in Porto Cervo, Sardinia.

Working as Lead Anchor alongside Marcus Baur within the commentary studio, with the massive technical support provided by SAP and Sail Tracks again has been great. Regular involvement with SAP Sailing and seeing, as well as providing advice the developments being made to making sailing more understandable, as well as being able to bring it to a much wider audience is very exciting.

Other thanks have to go to Yacht Club Costa Esmeralda for their enormous hospitality putting on another world-class event, all of the Sail Tracks team for their work and support in creating the broadcast and of course Marcus Baur for inviting me to work alongside him once more.

A special mention goes out to my personal sponsors Chatham for the endless support and ensuring I have the best possible footwear, while providing complete comfort and style.

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@ChathamUK