49er, 49erFX, Nacra 17 - European Championship 2017 - Kiel GER - Premiere für die foilenden Nacra 17, the Swiss only in the Skiffs

Today, the combined European Championship for the Skiffs and Nacra 17, for the first time upgraded on foils, will begin in Kiel. The teams have received the new boats only three weeks ago and the first in-race experiences will be interested to follow. In a second fleet, the traditional non-foil Nacras will sail for the title.
In the Olympic Nacra 17 fleet, the favorites among the 35 teams will be the Olympic Champion Santiago Lange/Cecilia Carranza ARG, the defending Champion Billy Besson FRA and Iker Martinez ESP.
In the Olympic Skiffs, some dominators of the previous years are missing, such as the America's Cup winner and Olympic Champion Peter Burling NZL or the past World and Olympic Champion Nathan Outteridge AUS and others, sailing at the Moth Worlds instead. However, racing will be interested in the big 49er fleet with 100 teams from 34 nations, experienced oder newcomers. In addition to the proven English and Spanish teams, the multiple Laser and Star World Champion Robert Scheidt BRA wants to be prove his skills in the skiffs as well. The most prominent newcomer is the Olympic 470 Champion Sime Fantela CRO, starting with his brother Mihovil Fantela. For Switzerland, the Olympians Sébastien Schneiter/Lucien Cujean SUI and new Maxime Bachelin/Arnaud de Planta SUI as well as Max Haenssler/Fred Haenssler SUI are on the entry list. Another prominent comback is the SUI and USA 49er Olympian Chris Rast SUI/USA, who will start together with Trevor Burd USA under USA flag.
70 teams from 28 nations participate in the 49erFX with the Olympic Champions Martine Grael/Kahena Kunze BRA as key favorites. For Switzerland, Livia Naef/Nelia Puhze SUI will participate continuing the campaign they started together this year.
The event website with entry lists (under results) and the official preview.