The Formula Class European Championships was one of the best events in the last few years. There was full media coverage, many photographers and journalists, the maximum number of competitors, and the maximum number of races held each day. There were all kinds of conditions, from light wind smooth water to choppy side-shore. Every day 1500-2000 people gathered on the beach for an incredible windsurfing festival.

Day One of the event saw 129 competitors from 25 countries sit without wind, but Day Two had perfect racing in 15 knots. MauiSails riders included Dennis Littel NED-13, Marta Hlavaty POL-111, Leszek Rutkowski POL-1, Markus Bouman NED-6 and few others. Day Two racing in fifteen knots and bumpy seas, had Dennis (1,2,2,1) and Marta (1, 1, 1, OCS) in first place. Day Three was also good for all of them, with Dennis and Marta getting two more victories, and Leszek continuing his good results in the light weight division.

Day Four the weather changed. Clouds covered the sun and west wind blew 10-15 knots. Another four races were scored for all the fleets. Dennis, Marta, and Leszek retained their leader positions going into the final Day Five - the judgment day. Morning races were in shifty light conditions and off-shore wind. Gold fleet had two more races back to back in building wind. Marta finished the series with a final win, clinching the European Championship for Women, Leszek held steady to claim 13th overall and won the European light weight division, and Dennis fought some lesser results and held on to get fourth overall and third place European. His effort will surely be noticed and should make him more eager to succeed at the Worlds in Portugal next month.

Dennis said, "Normally I thought I could sail well, but to start out with a win... then second day did it again, and third day again and again. It made me so nervous I could not sleep, and in the end it broke me up. But it was a fantastic event and I know I am ready for the Worlds in Portugal now.

The TR-4xt 12.0 was performing like a machine in 10-14 knots. People were coming to me on the beach to say I was going like nothing else up wind."

Leszek used his TR-4 12.0 in all 13 races, saying, "The sail is amazing...the best light wind sail ever. Good speed and good angle. Now I will train for Portugal and be ready to win."

Read Leszek's event report :

The Eueopean's in Leba are over. Allegro, the main sponsor of the event, got everyone used to great organisation, parties and crowds on the beach during the previous years. So all we needed this year was good conditions and as they came we managed to pull of 13 races - what more can one ask for?

For me this was one of the two key events this season(the World's is the other). The goal was to finish top 16 and fight for the podium in lightweight. I started my season with a couple of training sessions in Egypt and Poland tuning up my gear. I was the only person on MauiSails in Poland at the beginning of the season so it took a bit more time to check all the possible settings but I did it and felt strong and ready to compete.

We started the event in split fleets because over 130 competitors turned up. My plan for the first days was to stay consistent and avoid mistakes, collisions and overearlies so I had a stable position before going into the gold fleet. There were 6 qualification races before the final split. I managed to stay top 10 in all of them which made the trick and I entered the final stage on the 13th position. Then came the point to push more and sail a bit more risky, which was the only chance to get any decent places with all the good guys together. I pulled of a few good aggressive starts and all in all it allowed me to hold my lucky 13th place until the end.

In the light weight category I finished 2nd but since Wilhelm Schurmann, who was in front of me, is from Brasil, I got the European's gold medal. So I met my aims for this event and couldn't be happier.

Right now I'm already focused on preparations for the World's in Portugal. There is a month left so I plan to be 120% ready. It's enough time to check some slight changes that I discussed with the MauiSails and Exocet riders lately. However I don't plan anything radical and hope to repeat my result in Portimao.

Stay tuned,
Leszek Rutkowski, POL-1

Marta used her TR-4 10.0 and did amazingly well for her first year with the sails. "I feel really confident with them now. They are really comfy both upwind and down, and I feel ready to do well in the Worlds next month. I know now I can be competitive with any of the women who will be there."

Check out event photos gallery and stay tunned for movie that will be released soon. Also if you are interested you can analize results of Men, Women and Light weight division.

Read also Marta's Hlavaty POL-111 FW Europeans gold medalist event report :

We had very exciting 5 days of racing, at the Formula Windsurfing European Championships that took place In decent polish venue - Leba.

Incredibly number of races has taken place during competition. There were 13 races in men’s fleet and 11 in women’s, which is undoubtedly a kind of achievement for organizer as it’s unusual to meet such a consistent, windy conditions in Leba in the middle of the summer.

The competition was such a spectacular show that the very last race has decided the final result of many top sailors.129 competitors came to fight for Europeans titles.

Dennis Littel presented magnificent performance. Taking advantage of his unbelievable speed, he won most of races passing even the most experienced guys like Steve Allen or Ross Williams at the last reaching. Finally Dennis finished 4th giving in to Steve Allen 1st, Ross Willimas 2nd and Jesper Vesterstrom 3rd.

My Polish team mate Leszek Rutkowski also brought forward firmly high level, becoming gold medalist in the light weight fleet, and finishing 13th in overall.

For me it was a great success as I became the European Champion. I managed to win 9 from 11 runs even though the girls were pushing hard from behind. I ‘m fully satisfied with my racing. I find myself in a great shape lately. I figured out how to set up my rigs totally for this contest, compared to the last Grand Prix in Sopot, as now I feel much more confident on each sailing course. I’m highly prepared and looking forward to the approaching Worlds in Portugal.

All in all, the event was great organized on the water as well as on the beach. Allegro.pl, the main sponsor, made a really huge effort to make this competition a great happening. I know that all the competitors liked it as well. That’s it. Now I need to pack up as I’m leaving for Alacati PWA Slalom contest soon. Keep your fingers crossed !

Regards Marta Hlavaty POL-111