The European Sailing Appeal

Coralie Vittecoq, a promising Canadian Laser
Radial Sailor from the Province of Québec
When one looks at the Optimist and Open Bic regatta calendar, something is clear, there are many quality options for regattas in Europe.

For example, in the Open Bic, you have the EuroChallenge with three major regattas, in Spain, Italy and France. This year, the Worlds also take place in Europe - in Spain.

For the Optimist, huge regattas are taking place in locations such as Lake Garda (Italy), Los Palamos (Spain) and Maubuisson (France). We are talking about events with over 500, sometimes over 1000 participants.

Interestingly, top US and Canadian Laser sailors are set to participate in the upcoming European championships organized by the Laser class. Those championships cover the Laser standard (men) and Laser Radial, with separate competitions for men and women. Note that the Laser 4.7 also attracts big fleets in Europe, but is reserved for youth sailors.

Here are the US and Canadian registered participants in the Laser Standard

Canada: Robert Davis, Max Gallant, Fillah Karim, Justin Norton, Luke Ruitenberg, Forrest Wachholz
USA:  Christopher Barnard, Charlie Buckingham, Peter Hurley, Marek Zaleski

Regarding the European championships in the Laser Radial for women, here are the registered participants from the US and Canada.

Canada: Isabella Bertold, Maura Dewey and Coralie Vittecoq
USA: Haddon Hughes, Paige Railey and Erika Reineke

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