Quality conditions, competition continue at Garda Trentino Olympic Week

Trentino, Italy (May 9, 2014) – During the last two days of the Garda Trentino Olympic Week, a spectacular battle has been played out in the blustery waters of the Alto Garda which up to now have provided ideal conditions for racing.

As the first round of the Eurosaf Champions Sailing Cup, a full programme of races being run every day up to now. Right from the very first day there has been good wind, an important ingredient for a successful sailing event. Thanks to the professional approach of the sailing clubs in the Alto Garda region and Vela Garda Trentino the organisation of the regatta has been of a very high level from a technical standpoint.

In all classes the number of races completed means that the discards now come into effect and the real classification becomes clearer. For the third day, the conditions were once again excellent with 12 -14 knots in the more northern courses and slightly less in Malcesine where it was between 8 and 12 knots.

Nacra 17 – 3 races today – 9 races in total – Location Fraglia Vela Malcesine

Although the fleet is small the level of sailing skill is very high in this Nacra 17 event. Still in the lead are the Italians Vittorio Bissaro – Silvia Sicouri. Today they had a sixth a third and a fourth and have a fifteen point advantage over their nearest rivals. In second place are the French crew Agereau – Vandame (first in the second race today). On the same points are the other French crew Vaieaux – Audinet. The Italians Federica Salva – Francesco Bianchi had a good result in the first race of the day which had light wind and saw them crossing the line in first place.

2.4 – Sonar – Skud 18, 2 races per day – 6 races completed – Location Fraglia Vela Malcesine

The Paralympic boats present for the first time in the Garda Trentino Olympic Week are demonstrating a speciality which requires a great deal of technical skill. It is an occasion for training at the highest level against athletes from a diverse range of countries and a great example of the dedication and application needed to handle these special sailboats which require not only practical, but also tactical skill.

The classification remains unchanged in the 2.4 with the Dutchman Barend in first and the Italian Squizzato in second. A change in the third place however with the Dutchman Schrama moving up to take this position.

In the Sonar class the Italian D’agaro and the German Thomas Beer are still on even points despite their discards. In the Skud 18 class nothing has changed with the English Nr 57 in command, leading from the Italians Gulandris – Zanetti.

RS:X M/F – 3 races today- 9 races in total- Location Circolo Surf Torbole

Marcantonio Baglione is seeking a comeback which would seem impossible after a series of retirements and breakages in his equipment. Today he jumped up the rankings with two firsts and a second place. Unfortunately the penalty points accumulated in the first two days are not really helping him. Still in first place is the Croat Mratovic and climbing back to second place is the Italian Mattia Camboni, who was RSX Youth World Champion in 2013.

In the women’s event the top ranked woman in the ISAF classification Flavia Tartaglini is moving serenely toward the conclusion of the event with a series of first places and a 10 point advantage over the Japanese sailor Sunaga. Third is the other Youth World Champion Veronica Fanciulli who took two second equal places and a fifth.

470 M/F – 2 races today – 6 races in total Location Fraglia Vela Riva

With discards taken into account the leaders are still the Italians Desiderato – Trani who today had excellent results with a first and equal third. They have a four point lead over the Germas Gerz – Szymanshi who also had a good day with a second and a first. Slipping to third are the Croat’s Fantela – Marenic (5 – 14) who maintain a four point advantage over the Italians Capurro – Puppo (8 – 5).

In the women’s event as was expected yesterday the Poles Skrzypulec – Pogon with the help of their discards leap into first place having today carded a sixth and a first. The classification remains extremely tight up at the front, only one point behind them are the Russians Kirilynk – Dmitrieva and one point behind them the Swiss Fahrni – Thunersee alongside the Italians Caputo – Sinno

49er and 49erFX – 3 races today 9 races in total Location Fraglia Vela Riva

Another good day for the Italians Plazzi – Molineris who remain safely in first place after two seconds and one fifth place today. They have in fact a nine point lead over the next place Frenchmen D’Ortoli – Delpech (3,3,3), in third are the Spanish Alonso Federico –Arturo

The lead has changed in the women’s FX with the New Zealanders and world champions Maloney – Meech taking first place followed by the Brazilians Grael Soffiatti – Kunze ( second in the world championships and leader in the last round of the World Cup) Third place provisionally for the Germans Meyers – Stoffers.

Laser Standard and Radial – 2 races today, 7 races in total, 2 Gold/Silver, location Circolo Vela Arco

Today was the first of the two days in which the fleet is divided into gold and silver batteries. The first positions are held by athletes from various different nationalities all battling with the final aim of arriving in the ‘Medal race’ on Sunday with the field still relatively wide open. The Brazilian Robert Scheidt with a tenth and a second remains in first place followed as before by the Englishman Thomson (7,2) third is the Frenchman Bernal. Slipping to seventh place is the Italian Spadoni who is still however in with a good chance to make it to the Medal Race.

In the women’s fleet Silvia Zennaro moves into the lead who with the help of discards and a second equal today bring her to a four point advantage over the Irish woman Murphy who is European Champion and came fourth in the London Olympics in 2012. Third is the Danish woman Rinsom who was handicapped today with an OCS (premature start) but was subsequently helped by a victory in the last race of the day.

RESULTS: http://www.velagardatrentino.com/idPm/2023/ncName/ResultsO2014LaserSt/news.aspx

VIDEO: http://youtu.be/zfjib9myddo

PHOTO GALLERY DAY 3: https://plus.google.com/photos/109963424347830349974/albums/6011467940516838049

Background: The second year of the EUROSAF Champions Sailing Cup promotes four major European regattas, extending the European summer season for Olympic sailors beyond the ISAF Sailing World Cup regattas. The 2014 schedule is Lake Garda, Italy (May 7-11); Medemblik, The Netherlands (May 20-24); Weymouth & Portland, United Kingdom (June 2-6); and Kiel, Germany (June 21-25). – www.championssailingcup.org