Recap: Laser Senior European Championships

Railey Leads U.S. Finishes after Final day of European Championships

Porto gave the 323 sailors champagne conditions on the final day of racing. After two races today in both fleets, the final standings of the U.S. athletes have been set.

After both American Radial athletes took a black flag penalty in the first race today, Paige Railey jumped ahead of teammate Erika Reineke to take the top overall U.S. finish. Railey finished in eighth overall and Reineke finished just behind, in ninth.

Chris Barnard still leads the Men’s Laser Standard fleet among U.S. Competitors. Barnard finished in 19th overall, followed by Malcolm Lamphere (84th), Henry Marshall (87th), Ford McCann (93rd), and Paul Didham (134th).

U.S. Competitors at the 2019 Laser Senior European Championships
Women’s Laser Radial:

View results on the event website

  • Paige Railey (Clearwater, Fla.) – 8th, 19-10-7-11-10-17-4-24-4-19-BFD-16
  • Erika Reineke (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) – 9th, 18-5-10-8-8-10-10-16-12-14-BFD-34
Men’s Laser Standard:
View results on the event website
  • Chris Barnard (Newport Beach, Calif.) – 19th, 9-2-3-4-55-3-30-28-15-13-19-26
  • Malcolm Lamphere (Lake Forest, Ill.) – 84th, 15-20-39-24-23-50-29-22-47-35-30-10
  • Henry Marshall (Newton, Mass.) – 87th, 23-18-26-55-9-21-18-41-49-41-29-26
  • Ford McCann (Kemah, Texas) – 93rd, 38-13-31-29-36-33-46-10-13-UFD-31-34
  • Paul Didham (San Diego, Calif.) – 134th, 34-23-29-49-45-36-DNC-DNC-38-18-18-23

Updated: 5/25/19


Inching Towards the Top for Final Day

Great sailing conditions today for the second day of Finals at the 2019 Laser Senior European Championships in Porto, Portugal.

Two new races were added to scores. Now, competitors are just waiting on the final two tomorrow, deciding our 2019 European champions and Open Trophy winners.

Both U.S. Laser Radial athletes managed to climb up the leaderboard, today. Erika Reineke (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) moved up two spots into seventh and Paige Railey (Clearwater, Fla.) moved up three places into ninth.

Updated: 5/24/19


Radials Vye for Top Ten

Competitors in Porto finally got the conditions they were anticipating from the Portuguese venue. The sailors at the Laser European Championships were met with big Atlantic swells and winds up to 15 knots.

American Laser Radial athletes, Erika Reineke (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) and Paige Railey (Clearwater, Fla.) have climbed up the leaderboard and the U.S. is well on the way to having two female athletes in the top ten. Reineke is leading in ninth place and Railey is not far behind, in 12th.

Watch the video recap. 

Updated: 5/23/19


Qualifying Series Wrap, Barnard, Reineke, and Railey make Gold Fleet

Today’s races were the last of the Qualifying series at the 2019 European Championships. Tomorrow, the Final series begins and competitors will split onto the Gold, Silver and Bronze fleets (Bronze for Men’s only).

In the Laser Men’s class, Chris Barnard (Newport Beach, Calif.), will be competing in Gold fleet. Henry Marshall (Newton, Mass.), Malcolm Lamphere (Lake Forest, Ill.), and Ford McCann (Kemah, Texas) will compete in the Men’s Silver fleet and Paul Didham (San Diego, Calif.) will compete in the Men’s Bronze fleet.

After dropping his first race of the day (55) and scoring a three in the second race, Barnard is sitting in fifth place and will be looking to secure his spot int he top ten.

In the Women’s Laser Radial fleet, Erika Reineke (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), and Paige Railey (Clearwater, Fla.) both secured a spot on the Gold fleet starting line. Reineke is in eighth overall, and Railey is sitting in 20th.

Watch video recap.

Updated: 5/22/19


A Slow But Steady Climb Up the Leaderboard

The second day of the 2019 Laser European Championships delivered 10 to 15-knot winds from the North-Northeast and shuffled rankings for most teams.

Despite the changing leaderboard, American athlete performance is trending upwards. Chris Barnard (Newport Beach, Calif.), Erika Reineke (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), and Paige Railey (Clearwater, Fla.) all finished at least one race inside the top ten.

The U.S. athletes competing at the top of the fleets are climbing slowly, but steadily up the overall standings.

Tomorrow will be the final day of the qualifying series. On Thursday, the Men’s fleet will split into Gold, Silver, and Bronze fleets; and the Women’s will split into Gold and Silver fleet.

Watch the video recap.

Updated: 5/21/19


Racing Kicks Off in Porto, Barnard Starts Strong

Over 320 sailors, 110 coaches, and 55 countries were greeted with five to seven knots of breeze for the opening day of the Laser European Championships.

Chris Barnard (Newport Beach, Calif.) had a strong start to his European season with a win in the Men’s Laser class,  at the 50th Trofeo SAR Princesa Sofia Iberostar Regatta. Barnard is off to a strong start on the first day of the event. With two top ten finishes, he stands in eighth place heading into the second day of the qualifying series.

Erika Reineke (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) leads the Laser Radial fleet among the Americans. Reineke is standing in 16th and looking to move up the overall standings tomorrow.

Watch the video recap.

Updated: 5/20/19


Preview: Laser Senior European Championships

Bristol, R.I. (May 19, 2019) – Tomorrow, the last of the Olympic class European Championships begin. Laser and Laser Radial athletes will begin racing tomorrow in Porto, Portugal at the 2019 Laser Senior European Championships.

U.S. athletes will be facing several of the worlds best on the water this week. Over 160 Lasers and 120 Laser Radials are registered for the event. Of this group, 48 of the 50 athletes ranked in World Sailing’s top 25 will be seen on the race course in Porto. Three U.S. athletes fall into this category. Men’s Laser sailor, Chris Barnard (Newport Beach, Calif.) is ranked in 16th. In the women’s fleet, Paige Railey (Clearwater, Fla.) is currently ranked fourth and Erika Reineke (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) is ranked 11th.

Racing will begin tomorrow at noon, local time, and conclude on Saturday, May 25th. For daily updates on U.S. athletes, visit this page.

U.S. Competitors at the 2019 Laser Senior European Championships

Men’s Laser Standard:

  • Chris Barnard (Newport Beach, Calif.)
  • Paul Didham (San Diego, Calif.)
  • Malcolm Lamphere (Lake Forest, Ill.)
  • Henry Marshall (Newton, Mass.)
  • Ford McCann (Kemah, Texas)

Women’s Laser Radial:

  • Paige Railey (Clearwater, Fla.)
  • Erika Reineke (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)
2019 Laser Senior European Championships – Useful links