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International 10 sq.m. Canoe International 10 sq.m. Canoe

Image: "Peter Ullmann (GER79) at the 2017 Worlds, Pwlhelli. Photo: © Robert Muller"

International 10 sq.m. Canoe International 10 sq.m. Canoe

Image: "Chris Hampe at the 2013 Europa cup. Photo: © Loch Lomond SC"

International 10 sq.m. Canoe International 10 sq.m. Canoe

Image: "Contrast! A 3 Masted Schooner in the backgrouns as Frederik Steimann (GER68) blasts upwind at the 2011 worlds, Travemunde, Germany. Photo: © Robert Muller"

International 10 sq.m. Canoe International 10 sq.m. Canoe

Image: Mikey Radziejowski at the 2014 Worlds, San Francisco. Photo © Robert Muller

International 10 sq.m. Canoe International 10 sq.m. Canoe

Image: USA 246 at the 2011 Worlds © Robert Muller ex German web site

International 10 sq.m. Canoe International 10 sq.m. Canoe

Image: Todd Twigg, Simon Allen at the 2014 Worlds, San Francisco. Photo © Robert Muller

1986 Heineken Europa Cup

Rock S.C., England

Since its instigation in 1983 the Europa Cup for International Canoes has not had an officially designated challenge trophy but the intervention of Heineken as sponsors of the event, held this year at Rock in North Cornwall from July 27th -August 1st, and that company's gift of a magnificent 19thC Dutch drinking glass as a perpetual prize, has finally set the event on a firm basis for regular competition.

Thirty eight International Canoes including strong entries from West Germany and Sweden took part in a week of racing with the wind only dropping below Force 4 on one occasion.

The Swedish team, who were blasted out of the last world championships by the Americans and British, were back on top form taking the first four places overall in the main event, and a complete turn around in form saw the previously dominant Hayling Island SC International Canoes outperformed frequently by other top British competitors.

Among the Swedes, three showed outstanding speed and boat handling skills: predictably two of these were Tollquist and Bergquist, number one and two in the International rankings until the last worlds: the other was Carlsson who has arrived in top flight competition during the last two seasons.

Among the British, Graham Mackereth and Murray Cork were most frequently to be seen at the front of the fleet, and exceptional performances in individual races were achieved by Simon Allen and Roger Nelson. Sadly none of them could sustain a consistent performance over the entire series and the results overall speak of the superior training both in terms of fitness and boathandling, exhibited by the Swedes.

After four of the five races, it was Carlsson leading narrowly from Bergquist but to his misfortune, Carlsson broke his sliding seat restraint on the final beat of the fifth race while in the lead. The ensuing capsize allowed Bergquist through to take the Championship.

Of significant interest was the fact that both Bergquist and Tollquist were using a mast position that was further aft than has ever been used on an IC before. They claimed that this was a conscious move to centralise rig loading as close to the hull's centre of buoyancy as possible. Mackereth and Cork were using flatter mainsails and masts held more firmly in column than had been the recent fashion, the impressive speed they exhibited was cause for considerable discussion.

The appearance of new sailmakers in addition to the standard Batts sported by Mackereth, Cork and other top Brits caused further interest. The hi-tech Mylar/Kevlar suits from Morrison on Wither's boat looked extremely powerful, the long luff design of the Lymington Sails sported by Allen looked absolutely right and the MacNamaras and Ullmans looked the equal of any of the more standard Batts or Aitken and Wanes of old.

1st Ollie Bergquist SWE
2nd Ronnie Carlsson SWE
3rd Max Tollquist SWE
4th Goran Nillson SWE
5th Graham Mackereth GBR, Lowton SC
6th Simon Allen GBR, Medway YC
UK National Champion Mackereth

Chris Eyre
This report first appeared in Yachts and Yachting Magazine

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International 10 sq.m. Canoe International 10 sq.m. Canoe

Image: "Robin Wood (GBR329) at the 2017 Worlds, Pwlhelli. Photo: © Robert Muller"

International 10 sq.m. Canoe International 10 sq.m. Canoe

Image: David Clark at the 2014 Worlds, San Francisco. Photo © Robert Muller

International 10 sq.m. Canoe International 10 sq.m. Canoe

Image: "Uphill Challenge: Peter Ullmann (GER79) leads a bunch of others at the 2011 worlds, Travemunde, Germany. Photo: © Robert Muller"

International 10 sq.m. Canoe International 10 sq.m. Canoe

Image: GBR303 at the 2011 Worlds © Robert Muller ex German web site

International 10 sq.m. Canoe International 10 sq.m. Canoe

Image: Chris Hampe mid gybe at the 2014 Worlds, San Francisco. Photo © Robert Muller

International 10 sq.m. Canoe International 10 sq.m. Canoe

Image: "Dave Timson (GBR303) at the 2011 worlds, Travemunde, Germany. Photo: © Robert Muller"

International 10 sq.m. Canoe International 10 sq.m. Canoe

Image: 2014 Worlds, San Francisco. Race 4 Start line action. Chris Maas and Willy Clark battling at the pin end. Photo © Robert Muller

International 10 sq.m. Canoe International 10 sq.m. Canoe

Image: Mikey Radziejowski, Chris Maas at the 2014 Worlds, San Francisco. Photo © Robert Muller

International 10 sq.m. Canoe International 10 sq.m. Canoe

Image: "Todd Twigg (USA248) at the 2017 Worlds, Pwlhelli. Photo: © Robert Muller"

International 10 sq.m. Canoe International 10 sq.m. Canoe

Image: "John Ellis (GBR334) at the 2017 Worlds, Pwlhelli. Photo: © Robert Muller"

International 10 sq.m. Canoe International 10 sq.m. Canoe

Image: Paul Hignett out for a blast on the blown off last day of the 2013 Europa Cup. He's sailing Colin Newman's IC OD Extended Play, GBR 295. © Jim Champ 2013

International 10 sq.m. Canoe International 10 sq.m. Canoe

Image: Mark Goodchild at the 2014 Worlds, San Francisco. Photo © Robert Muller