Men
Shahar Zubari (ISR11) never looked threatened; Always looked in control; Never got flustered or excited; Admittedly the conditions were ideal for him 5 -12 knots all week. He is almost unbeatable at this level and on this water. Gold at the 2009 RS:X European Championships  (June 11th - 20th, 2009) was almost a formality here in Tel Aviv. Or that's how it looked from the outside.

Silver in Quing Dao and now silver in Tel Aviv at the 2009 RS:X European Championships. But for an uncharacteristically poor set of results on day 4 (10, 10), Julien Bontemps (FRA6) would have been in a position to threaten Zubari more seriously. As it was, he was left defending his position from Ivan Pastor's (ESP7) attack.

Pastor faded in race 10 putting in a 16th and then compounded the error by not putting in a good medal race result. Bontemps was let off the hook when he could have been made to struggle and sweat. Joao Rodrigues (POR75) look as though he might be a threat with flashes of brilliance but never really put a series together that demanded attention.

Women

A sweet victory indeed for Marina Alabau (ESP5). European Champion in 2007 and 2008, she now adds the 2009 RS:X European Championship title to her impressive list of successes. By finishing 2nd in the medal race, she has demonstrated that she is the dominant force in the women's RS:X fleet. No other woman can live with her, except perhaps...

Her team mate. Blanca Manchon (ESP1) ran out of power on the last day. She topped the leader board for the whole of the championship. She DNF-ed in the first race of the day yesterday suffering from heat stroke. She dug deep. Took on the 10th race in the series (2nd of yesterday's races) and came third. All she had to do today was finish in the top 5.

Sadly, it was not to be. She spent the morning in hospital, hooked up to a glucose drip. She was so dehydrated that the doctors told her not to race. Nevertheless, like a true champion, she dragged herself down to Tel Aviv Marina rigged up and went racing. She just had to finish to secure 2nd place overall. This she did... a moral victory but one that will leave a bitter taste in her mouth.  Just to think what might have been...her first major Olympic Class title.

Bryony Shaw (GBR94) hung onto the third place overall that she reclaimed yesterday. Finishing 7th in the medal race was just enough to secure her a podium position. Bronze in Quing Dao and now Bronze in Tel Aviv. Come September and the RS:X World Championship in Weymouth, UK, she will be determined to go at least one better. To do that she will have to mix it with the Spanish duo. It's a big ask...

Disappointment must also be the sentiment felt by Maayan Davidovich (ISR10). 4th overall before the medal race and no doubt hoping to go one better on her home waters. She threw it away yesterday in race 10 and then failed to make an impression today, finishing 9th. Final result 7th overall behind the Italian pair of Laura Linares (ITA11) and Flavia Tartaglini (ITA46).

Next stop Weymouth... the RS:X World Championships will be raced on the waters intended for the 2012 Olympic Regatta. Let's see who can live with the all conquering Spanish Team...

Results Men
1. Shahar Zubari (ISR)
2. Julien Bontemps
3. Samuel Launay (FRA)

Reults Women
1. Marina Alabau (ESP)
2. Blanca Manchon (ESP)
3. Bryony Shaw (GBR)

Links

RS_Class Website: http://www.rsxclass.com/events/index.php/results