European ILCA Championship 2024: Fifth place for Karageorgos in the premiere

An ideal start for the Greek women’s colors at the premiere of the “ILCA Senior European Championships & Open European Trophy 2024” which is hosted in Falirikos Ormos and gives a total of 4 (2 men-2 women) European tickets for the Olympic games.

Evangelia Karageorgou impressed in the only sailing race held in the ILCA 6 (women’s), as she is in 5^the position in the general classification with 3 penalty points. Very good placement for Varvara Portolou as well (17^the position), Maria Lili Zammit (18^the) but also Tatiana Bugatiotis (22^the).

The rest of the Greek entries, in the first sailing race in which a total of 110 athletes ran in two groups, are as follows: Ghika 26^the30 Papadakis^theKouravelou 33^theMeni 35^theAnastasiou 38^theVlacho 42^theKatsouli 47^theKaskadami 50^theIliopoulou 53^theKalakona 55^the.

All results:

https://eurilca.eu/documents/303/results/ilca6w.html

For men, in the ILCA 7 category, from which the European Olympic tickets for Marseille will be determined, the apnea that generally prevailed today in Falirikos Ormos, canceled both scheduled races.

In the ILCA 6 category, in the boys the first 12 places have a strong blue and white color with seven Greeks placing high in the only sailing race that took place.

All results:

https://eurilca.eu/documents/303/results/ilca6m.html

On Monday the races are set to start at 11am.

The qualification process in Paris

The 4 European countries (2 men and 2 women) with the best ranking will qualify from the “ILCA Senior European Championships & Open European Trophy 2024” to the Olympic games in Paris.

In Marseille, 18 men’s and 17 women’s tickets have already been given.

The following 14 European countries claim qualification for the Olympic Games through the organization:

Women ILCA 6 (in parentheses the participation of female athletes): they are: Bulgaria (1), Croatia (6), Cyprus (2), Czech Republic (3), Estonia (3), Greece (14), Israel (4), Latvia (1), Lithuania (1), Malta (1) ), Romania (1), Serbia (1), Slovenia (2) and Ukraine (3).

ILCA Men 7 (in parentheses the participation of athletes):

Austria (4), Bulgaria (1), Czech Republic (1), Estonia (2), Greece (19), Israel (4), Lithuania (3), Malta (1), Monaco (1), Poland (3), Serbia (1), Slovenia (3), Switzerland (4) and Ukraine (3).

The opening ceremony

The curtain on the “ILCA Senior European Championships & Open European Trophy 2024” opened on Saturday (17/02) afternoon with the opening ceremony hosted at the premises of the Kalamaki Naval Club. The 324 sailors from 48 countries enjoyed the last moments of relaxation a day before setting sail in the event.

The sailors were welcomed by the president of the organizer Nautical Club of Kalamaki and vice-president of the organizing committee, George Christopoulos.

“We have worked hard in the past months at Kalamaki Nautical Club to give you the best conditions. I would like to thank the director of the organization Mr. Kefallonitis, Mr. Oikonomou, Mr. Koukoulis and Mrs. Galani, and everyone who worked voluntarily so that we could organize the European championship. I would also like to thank for the cooperation the president of EurILCA Jean-Luc Michon, the president of the Hellenic Sailing Federation Niki Anastasiou and all the supporters and sponsors of the event for the trust they have shown in the Kalamaki Nautical Club” emphasized Mr. Christopoulos in his greeting.

“I have worked perfectly in the past with the people of the Kalamaki Naval Club. This year, when I came to the facility, I thought I was wrong. They have been upgraded and we are very satisfied with the Greek hosting of the European championship which also gives qualification for the Olympic games. Good fight everyone» said the president of EurILCA, among others, in his greeting, Jean-Luc Michonwhile on her part the president of the Hellenic Sailing Federation and president of the Organizing Committee, Niki Anastasiou pointed out:

“For the Hellenic Sailing Federation it is a special pleasure that Greece is hosting the European Championship ILCA which gives four European Olympic tickets. I wish good luck to all participants. Good luck Greece».

The start of the games was announced by the Mayor of Alimos, Andreas Kondylis: “Our joy is very great joy that our city is hosting such a great event. We are glad that the Region, the General Secretariat of Sports, the sponsors are supporting the hosting of the European championship. Tonight we celebrate the start of the games and I would like to wish all the athletes good health and success».

Present at the opening ceremony were from the Region of Attica Christos Gogos, Authorized Regional Advisor for Control – Operation of Sports Facilities, Vasiliki Millousi, Deputy Regional Governor for Sports and Nikos SarganisElected Regional Councillor.

The “present” was also given by Hariklia Bimba representative of the Hellenic Tourism Organization, Mr Yannis AntonakisDeputy Mayor of Alimos, o Alexandros PantazisDeputy Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Finance of the Municipality of Palaio Faliro, o Nikos Alexopoulosmember of the Municipal Council in the Municipality of Alimos and many other names.

The opening ceremony ended with the singing of the Greek national anthem in the presence on stage of the 16-year-old sailor of the Kalamaki Nautical Club, Hermione Gikasworld runner-up in the ILCA6 category.

The event is held under the auspices of the EOT, the General Secretariat of Sports and the Municipality of Alimos and in collaboration with the Hellenic Sailing Federation.

The races will be broadcast live with multi-camera coverage and drones from the sea, by the Hellenic Sailing Federation’s live broadcast team via its YouTube channel.