The final day of racing at the Murphy and Nye 1720 European Championship, took place today in a 15 knot easterly breeze, in the bay of St Malo.

A General recall led to black flag starts in both of the final two races. First to show form in race 7 were G & T, Boats.Com and the overnight leaders Wet and Black. Ian Atkins sailing his Hamble-based Boats.Com was first round the top mark and led to the finish. A massive Spring tide made judging laylines a challenge; overnight leader Anthony O’Leary aboard Wet and Black took 2nd and in so doing, increased their championship lead over King Quick. Scoring their best result of the series Adam Winkelman’s Dublin-based Yoke took the final podium position.

Prior to the final race, series leader Wet and Black had a 3-point lead, but were carrying a hefty 15 point discard, with second place King Quick having a 6 point discard, it was clear that a match race might be on the cards. Sure enough from the start, Rory Scott helming King Quick engaged Wet and Black into a duel and sailed them to the back of the fleet. At the front of the fleet, the Hamble based pair Sworded Fish and Dark Side were leading the charge. Rob Larke aboard Dark Side took the win followed by Sworded Fish and then local boy Nicolas Lemarchand sailing SNBSM. At the tail of the fleet King Quick had achieved their target and will tonight be crowned champions for the second consecutive year. Runners up were the Cork based Wet and Black followed by Goacher Sails, from Lake Windermere.

With 8 different winners, in an 8 race series this has been one of the closest fought championships ever seen in the class.