Groth Fyro and Soderlind European champions
In popular Nynäs Offshore south of Stockholm, UIM European championships were run for Offshore classes 3C and 3X.
Favorites in 3C were the cousins Groth, who each drive a boat. In the World Championship a month ago in Norway, it was Fredrik Groth who took the title, despite Sebastian winning two races in the WC. A broken race for his part, and Fredrik was driving tactical and won the WC title. Would Sebastian get his revenge in the EC?
The first race was run on calm waters and became a sprint race. It was won by Fredrik Groth with an average speed of 70 knots. Not even Sebastian didn't keep up with the pace, instead he had to work hard to keep Norwegian Andre Strand behind him. Only a few seconds separated them at the finish line.
The second day's race was run under completely different conditions. The organizer was forced to drive on a short storm course. It was still a proper offshore race, even if the average speeds dropped by 20 knots. Sebastian pushed so hard that he was forced to retirek, a fate that also prevented Andre Strand to finish after a huge jump. Fredrik Groth held the lead from start to finish and won the EC title on maximum points.
In 3X, the WC in Norway was a disappointment for Swedish favorite William Soderlind, when he was forced to withdraw from the first race due to a minor technical failure. Now everything worked as it should but he was challenged by Norwegian Gunther Hirschel Haag who took command in the first race. But when Gunther took the turn a little extra wide, Soderlind drove thight and managed to overtake the Norwegian driver and won the first race. In the second, William gave his competitors no pardon and took a second victory. An outsider Anders Koijer took a meritorious second place, showing the quality of the drivers in the the 3X class.
Pictures: Jesper Zander & Peter Pickla
Class 3C European Champions: Fredrik Groth Fyro - Filip Eriksson
Class 3X European Champions: William Soderlind - Jonatan Rindar
Text: Per Benson
Pictures: Jesper Zander & Peter Pickla
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