Gorgeous Garda at EUROSAF Champions Sailing Cup

Trentino, Italy (May 8, 2014) – A day to remember for the 12 Olympic and Paralympic events taking part in the Garda Trentino Olympic week, the first round of the European circuit EUROSAF Champions Sailing Cup.

At least 20 knots of wind were recorded on the most northern course between Riva and Torbole. On this course were racing the most spectacular 49er’s , the classic but always exciting 470, the physically demanding Laser and the fully planning RSX windsurfing board.

In Malcesine racing was taking place in the Nacra 17 and all the Paralympic boats -Sonar, Scud and 2.4 mR – with a wind at the start of about 10 knots which later rose to about 15 knots. The medium strong winds of today brought to light the crews who were best prepared both mentally and physically even if at this stage it is hard to predict with any certainty the final classification.

In some classes there have not yet been enough races to bring in discards which ultimately will change the current classification certainly today was a day to tax both technical and physical abilities.

RS:X M/F, 3 races- Location Circolo Surf torbole

The RSX races were the first to start at 13.00 with a beautiful planning wind from the south. Three very quick races characterised a day particularly satisfying for these racers who in this discipline are constantly on the lookout for strong winds. There is fierce competition for first place which at present rests with the Croat Mratovic with two first places and a third. Following him is the Thai Boonsawad who with two firsts and a second, jumped up into second place. There was a leap in the classification also for the young Italian Mattia Camboni who moves into third position with a third, a first and a fifth today. It is worth mentioning the notable improvement of Marcantonio Baglione who after breaking two masts in the first two races managed a joint second in the third race.

In the womens fleet the strong wind has added a turbo charge to the sailing of Flavia Tartaglini who with three first places in a row moves to the front ahead of the Japanese Sunaga e Komine.

Nacra 17, 3 races – Location Fraglia Vela Malcesine

In the Malcesine area where the mixed crew Nacra 17 are racing the course had wind of about 10 knots rising to a fairly regular 15 knots with every so often a shift to the left to keep things interesting. It was a satisfying day for the competitors for a day of hard fought racing. In the general classification there are various crews penalised by an OCS (premature start) ,and as in this fleet they are expecting to have only one discard these racers will have to make no other mistakes if they want to be among the first 10 crews who progress to the medal race on Sunday. Notwithstanding a terrible start to the second race of the day, Vittorio Bissaro and Silvia Sicouri managed to regain a huge number of places and from being practically last, arrived at the finish line in fourth position. This taken alongside two good wins in the other races means they are in the lead with an 8 point advantage over the French Petitjean – Bakes (today 2,7,3,) Also from France and in third place are Agereau – Vandame sailing consistently well with an 8,5,2. There was a well-earned victory in race 5 for the Dutch crew who sail for Aruba of Van Der Velden – Visser.

2.4mR, 2 races – Location Fraglia Vela Malcesine

Still in first place is The Dutchman Kol with a first and fifth place today. Very consistent is the Italian Antonio Squizzato with two second places today is in second in the overall classification. He is followed in third by the German Bodler.

Skud, 2 races – Location Fraglia Vela Malcesine

Very close racing in the double handed Skud. In the lead with a two point advantage are the English Rickham – Birrell second are the Italians Gualandris – Zanetti and a further two points behind them in third are the Dutchmen Voorbac – Van Essenvel.

Sonar, 2 races – Location Fraglia Vela Malcesine

Things are in perfect balance in the Sonar class which sees on eight points the Germans Kern – Kirsch and the Italians D’Agaro – Bachisio. Only one point behind are the other Germans, Beer – Utrata

49er / 49er FX, 3 races – Location Fraglia Vela Riva

20 knots of wind combined with the 49er skiff make for spectacular racing which has no equal. Some of the younger less experienced crews suffered some difficulties in the transitions and provided spectators with some exhilarating capsizes. For both male and female crews this was definitely a day of fantastic racing and high adrenaline. The Italian not so young crew of Plazzi – Molineris are in the lead with a four point advantage over the Irish Seaton – Mc Govern. The Ravenna sailors started with a first place and remained in control with a subsequent fifth and sixth place. In third place are the French D’Ortoli – Delpech who were second in the last race of the day. Going well also are the other Italians the Dubbini’s, they are fourth overall after discarding a 17th place and taking a second and a fifth.

The 49er FX fleet is very well balanced with only a two point advantage for the Danish sailors Hansen – Salskov (today 1,4,3rd equal) over the New Zealanders Maloney – Meech who having taken a second and eight place finished the day with a first. Off the pace are the Brazilians Grael Soffiatti – Kunze who today were consistent in their 6,2,4, but still without a win. They are in third place with a three point gap behind the crew in second place. Giulia Conte injured yesterday and with a badly swollen hand did not feature in the racing today, for her and her crew Francesca Clapcich, unfortunately the Garda Trentino Olympic Week is over.

470 M/F, 2 races – Location Fraglia Vela Riva

With only four races completed the discards do not yet come into force and so the general classification is hard to evaluate. At the moment however the Italians Desiderato – Trani are in the lead who after a first and a tenth on Wednesday followed on today with two fifth places. The conditions were perfect for the Croatian crew (fourth in London2012) Fantela – Marenic who scored a second place in the opening race and a 21st (which they will probably be able to discard tomorrow) which meant they jumped up into provisional second place. Third are the Russians Sozykin – Gribanov. There was a good second place in the third race (first today) for the Italians Capurro –Puppo who are actually fourth place overall.

The situation is much more evenly matched in the female fleet , the Russians Kirilynk – Dmitrieva showed they coped best with the strong winds with two first places in a row are in command and on equal points with the Italians Roberta Caputo – Alice Sinno who today were more consistent with a 2,4. In third place is the Swiss crew of Fahrni – Siegenthaler who have slid to third place from first after two ninth places which contrast their two firsts of yesterday. It was a very positive day for the Polish crew of Skrzpulec – Pogon which may well lead ultimately to a podium position and for the Greeks Papadopoulou – Mazaraki who were respectively third and second in the last race. Consistent also the Italians Komatar – Carraro (today 6,13)

Laser Standard, 2 races – Location Circolo Vela Arco

The world champion and multi Olympic medal winner Robert Scheidt demonstrated his class today as well as his knowledge of the lake. Two first places in a championship that continues to surprise. Still second is the Englishman Thomson and the Frenchman Bernal is third. The Italian Alessio Spadoni who is maintaining his consistency is lying in fourth. From tomorrow after the first two days of qualifying due to the high number of participants the remaining boats will be divided into gold and silver fleets.

A balanced result so far in the women’s fleet with four races completed and no discards. At the front is the Danish sailor Rindom Anne Marie (today 14,5) followed by and on equal points the Norwegian Eide Marthe Enger who improved today with a 3,2. Third with a four point deficit is the Italian Silvia Zennaro who suffered under the strong winds of today finishing with an 11th and an eighth today in contrast to her 4th and third of yesterday.

RESULTS: http://www.velagardatrentino.com/idPm/2023/ncName/ResultsO2014LaserSt/news.aspx
VIDEO: http://youtu.be/JWk8JX3-5U4
PHOTO GALLERY DAY 2: https://plus.google.com/photos/109963424347830349974/albums/6011105960760924113

Report by host media.

2014 EUROSAF Champions Sailing Cup
Trentino Garda Olympic Week, Lake Garda, Italy – May 7-11
Delta Lloyd Regatta, Medemblik, The Netherlands – May 20-24
Sail for Gold, Weymouth & Portland, United Kingdom – June 2-6
Kieler Woche, Kiel, Germany – June 21-25

EUROSAF Champions Sailing Cup series website: www.championssailingcup.org.