Optimist Europeans at Tavira, Portugal - Overall
by Mónica Rodrigues 10 Jul 2011 21:21 NZST
2-10 July 2011
After 6 days of regattas, the European champions were awarded today in Tavira, in the end of the IODA European Championship 2011. The last day of races was characterized by SW wind between 8 to 10 knots, allowing the execution of one final regatta of this international competition.
After 12th regattas completed, the European Champions are Luis Cabrera from Spain and the Italian Francesca Bergamo, who kept the leadership during the last days. The Spanish sailor of 14 years old is very pleased with the victory: "I knew I had chances, but the feeling now is better than I expected", he says. The Italian champion said that "the support of the team and my individual efforts influenced my victory".
This event brought together 225 young people from the 5 continents providing a magnificent sports cultural exchange. “Our expectations were far exceeded by the quality of the contributions and enthusiasm of all participants " refers Guilherme Ferreira, President of the Tavira Nautical Club.
This was the 5th event of a run of six National and International championships and regattas organized by Tavira Sailing, which in 2011 will make this tourist destination in the Portuguese Sailing Capital.
Male top 3:
1 - Luís Cabrera - ESP
2 - Luigi Michelini – ITA
3 - Arthur Fortune - FRA
Female top 3:
1 - Francesca Bergamo – ITA
2 - Maria Caba – ESP
3 - Sílvia Mas - ESP
The full results and photos are available on www.tavirasailing.org.