Asked about how she won she replied: "I was generally fairly consistent but it was the 2 first places on Wednesday that really made the difference for me."
Tajana explained the secret of her success: "I was an Optimist sailor for many years and it was a great basic training. I think one of the secrets of the success of the Croatian girls is that at home we sail with the boys and they are very good. This improves our sailing."
Tajana is helped by her father who is a sailing trainer.
16 year old Alexios Katsios sailed a thrilling final day to pip long term leader Yan Chekh of Russia, thereby becoming the European Laser 4.7 Championship at the National Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire.
Alexios explained his approach and strategy: "I have tried to be consistent and steady but I was trying very hard today. I am thrilled to win the event - it is my biggest win to date."
Alexios comes from Marathon near Athens and is part of a competitive 10 person Greek Squad run by George Ketelonitic: "We did an awful lot of work for this event - on and off the water. We have really enjoyed the event and the hospitality in Ireland. I have to say that the race committee did a great job, it was not easy."
The Greek team celebrated by spraying Ballygowan Sparkling Water - in the grand prix mode. "All our team have done a great job in this event" said George, whose grandfather was a Howard from Cork!
"I have heard many stories about the Irish weather - but I did not believe that 'four seasons in one day' occurs every day!" he joked.
The Greek team are heading to the Radial World Championship in Holland next week - their confidence boost by their terrific Irish Performance.
Ireland's Katie Tingle sailed two solid races to maintain her position as top Irish female sailor placing her in 12th overall. The young Cork sailor will return to sailing her 420 doublehanded dinghy with crew mate Maeve Leonard who also had a decent day afloat with two mid teen positions in the final day of the regatta.
ISA 4.7 Squad Coach Thomas Chaix explained, "The Irish boys were further down the fleet today however Katie should be pleased with her performance overall and will bring an added level of knowledge to her own class."
Ashore Katie said that: "This was my first Laser event and with just two day 's practice last week I am delighted with my result. It makes heading off on my holidays tomorrow so much sweeter."
Full of praise for event organiser Cathy MacAleavy, "Cathy did a great job,"
Katie concluded.
At the prize-giving ceremony, Con Murphy, Commodore National Yacht Club
commented: "It's been a tremendous event and one the club will fondly remember. The racing programme ran like clockwork and we got a great variety of weather conditions, which give the competitors a week of superb racing.
Every aspect of the event ran extremely smoothly, both afloat and ashore.
Our visitors will go home with fond memories of their visit to Ireland."
European Laser 4.7 Championship - provision overnight results
Male: 197 entries - overall Positions after 12 races (2 discards)
1. A Katsios GRE (56.0), 2. M Peresa CRO (61.0), 3. Y Chekh RUS (67.0), 4. A Zahtila CRO (69.0), 5. Y Hummel NED (81.0), 6. B Bignoli ITA (83.0) 7. A Chocholis GRE (83.0), 8. F Kobielski POL (88.0), 9. J Bozic SLO (90.0), 10.
F Matika CRO (91.0)
Best Irish:
42. R Vaughan IRL (191.0), 62. A Ruigrok IRL ( 279.0), 67. S Flanigan IRL ( 328.0)
Female: 61 entries - overall Positions after 12 races (2 discards) 1. T Ganic CRO (70.0), 2. M Broekhuizen NED (81.0), 3. A Kordic CRO (83.0), 4. S De Luca ITA (85.0), 5. L Stock CRO (98.0), 6. A Stals BEL (100.0), 7. M Senkic CRO (100.0), 8. E makowska POL (104.0), 9. M Audyova CZE (112.0), 10.
K Giraldi ITA (117.0)
Best Irish :
12. K Tingle IRL (142.0), 19. M Leonard IRL (190.0), 27. K White IRL (215.0)
Full provisional results are available on www.nyc.ie
