IC Europa Cup 1995

A mere 20 International Canoes, from France, Germany, Sweden and the UK, entered the Europa Cup at Steinhuider Meer, Germany on August 8-11th 1995. The event was sailed in light to very light winds and high temperatures, and on this lake sea breezes were out of the question. Canoes are not the easiest of boats to sail well in light weather; important factors in keeping up front were maintaining boat speed by quick adaptation to wind shifts and gusts and sailing good first beats. Often, however, it was a matter of luck as to where the wind was and who got the best of it.

Simon Allen (UK) sailed consistently to win four of the six races and win overall.

The practice race on Tuesday morning was cancelled due to lack of wind, but a start was possible in the afternoon for the first race. Allen led for the first half of the race, but while covering Jens Reichert (Germany) was passed on the third beat by Jorg Walter (Germany) 100 metres to leeward, who had found a wind of his own. Fleichert was third.

In the second race Frank Adler (Germany) led by a long way until the final triangle when he was passed by Allen, who had a lucky gust of wind to himself. Fleichert was third.

Allen rounded the windward mark first in the third race, and built up a good lead. The wind dropped away to nearly nothing, and it was quite a struggle to finish the ten-mile course. On the last triangle Allen had a one-leg lead, but when the wind returned on the second leg of the triangle the fleet closed up from behind. Allen finished three minutes ahead of Walter and Frido Beers. It was remarkable how the fleet split up in these light conditions, with the last three boats not finishing within one hour of the first.

Lack of wind during Thursday meant that only one race could be started, the fourth, at 1700 and it was five and a half miles long. It was led initially by David Hullin (Germany) followed closely by Allen. The latter passed Hullin on the third beat by tacking underneath and pointing higher while maintaining boat speed, and covered Hullin round the last triangle. Third was Beers.

The fifth race started on time in light wind. Hullin was clear ahead at the first mark, followed by Johan Elfstrom (Sweden). These two built up a good lead, with Elfstrom covering Allen up the last beat.

The sixth and final race was also five and a half miles. Allen followed Beers round the first mark and overtook him, followed by Hullin. It was then a close match between Allen and Hullin, the former finishing first.

Allen won overall, with Hullin and Reichert (both former Europa Cup winners) in second and third.