Proctor, Conte win Lightning titles

Salinas, Ecuador (November 20, 2017) – Ched Proctor and his team won the day in both the South Americans and Masters fleets, and while Proctor seized the title of Masters World Champion, it was the Argentinian team of Javier Conte with Julio Alsogaray and Paula Salerno who maintained their dominance over the South American championship, once again capturing the title for their homeland after a string of Chilean and Brazilian wins.

Conte and his all-star team took a commanding victory in the first race of the day and would not have needed to sail the last race of the series to maintain their lead. The Ecuadorian team of Julio Velez with Eduardo Viteri and Irene Suarez came in a close second, followed by class newcomer and Snipe world champion Raul Rios. Ex-World Champ Claudio Biekarck of Brazil and USA’s Proctor rounded out the top 5.

As the Masters were subscored, Proctor went into the last race tied for points with Biekarck. The two found their way to the front of the fleet and Proctor controlled Biekarck throughout the race, and while the pair finished 1,2, the only thing that mattered was that the American stayed ahead, and that he did. Jeff Linton and his team of wife Amy and Steve Davis, who were leading into the day, fell to third.

This is Conte’s first South American championship, though he and his team are not new to capturing continental titles; they won the Lightning North American championship in September. Proctor is an old pro when it comes to winning the Masters Worlds, with his most recent victory coming two editions ago in Castiglione del Lago, Italy.

The South Americans and International Master World Championships were held concurrently (Nov. 17-20).

Details: South Americans – Masters – Photos

Salinas Yacht Club now shifts gears to hosting the Lightning World Championship on November 22-25. All of the teams mentioned above will be competing, along with a significant pool of others.

Worlds: Event details – Entry list

Source: Doug Wake