During the last regattas of 2022, a number of sailors from Great Britain, France, the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany got together and thought about how to revitalise the boat class in Europe more than before. The result was a series of races under the label "2.4mR Action4Europe" called the "2.4mR European Circuit", for which they want to meet again and again each year.
The first regatta took place with the French Open from May 6th to 8th, 2023 in Champagne on the Lac d'Orient and it exceeded all expectations. 28 participants from 6 nations sailed a total of eight races against each other in a challenging and friendly competition. On land, we were greeted by a completely redesigned harbour area with a very functional clubhouse, ample parking for campers, trailers, cars including a clean and pleasant hotel complex 200 m from the water. The experienced crane master got us into the water safely and easily together with French 2.4mR sailors. The jetties were perfectly suited for our boate, which is not always the case.
The French hosts welcomed us the evening before with national specialities as well as wine and pastis. Afterwards, we went to a brasserie, so that we quickly reached the right bedtime.
In the evening after the first day of the regatta, there was a Competitor's Buffet. Manuela and Ulli Libor had the idea that each competitor should bring something to eat from their region. This became the culinary highlight of the regatta: from British cheese to German meatballs to Belgian chocolates, there was a tremendously great offer, where everyone could eat something extraordinarily varied and tasty, from savoury to sweet. And of course there was also something to drink, from German beer to French wine and Bavarian fruit schnapps.
This regatta was a perfect start for the European Circuit, especially with the friendly cooperation in a relaxed atmosphere, because it set standards. The French sailing friends had not only chosen an excellent location, but they also created a relaxed atmosphere by calmly organising the event in the foreground and background. The Competitor's Buffet will also make it difficult for other "dinners" in the future. The friendly interaction in Europe warmed the heart of the sailor and the citizen. And there was no shortage of fun when Simon Hill danced through the hall with a polonaise.
As a farewell, in addition to presents from sponsors, there was a self-made relief of the 2.4 hull and champagne for everyone, even for those who had registered but were ultimately unable to attend.
Let's wait for the next regattas.
But it is to be expected that this series will be a real new highlight in the 2.4mR class.
By the way: there was also sailing 🙂 , as always at a high level. The usual suspects won.
And photos – absolutely professional from Christophe Etorre shot – there is a shortage 350, on which, by the way, unlike in this post, you can see sailing boats and sailors.