Garda Trentino Olympic Week: Eurosaf Champions Sailing Cup - Day 1
by Elena Giolai 7 May 2015 19:58 NZST
6-10 May 2015
Around 500 athletes from the five continents put on a show for the first day of racing
Despite the muggy heat and haze of these last few days, Northern Lake Garda came up to the expectations of the 348 crews (totalling 499 athletes) from 55 nations and 5 continents, for the start of Garda Trentino Olympic Week, the only Italian date which brings all the Olympic classes together, competing on 5 different regatta courses located in Riva del Garda, Torbole and Malcesine, the most northerly and windiest part of Lake Garda. The biggest problems arose in the Nacra 17 course where the wind direction from the south turned more to the right forcing a change in the position of the buoys. This consequently slowed down the start between the first and second races. The wind conditions were, however, pretty unstable for everyone both in direction and intensity, ranging in speed from 12 to 20 knots. The event, which is organised by Fraglia Vela Riva together with Lega Navale Italiana of Riva del Garda, Circolo Vela Arco, Circolo Surf Torbole and Fraglia Vela Malcesine, is one of the most important European Olympic events and is organised under the aegis of The Italian Sailing Federation and Eurosaf.
The first races got under way according to schedule at 12 with a wind that gradually increased as the day wore on. Two races were completed as programmed for the single classes Laser Standard (M), Radial (W) and for the doubles 470 (M & W). Three were completed for the faster 49er, 49er FX (F), Nacra and RS:X (M&W) board.
The Paralympic classes are also in competition at Malcesine. This is quite an accomplishment since all three classes are taking part together something that only happens at the World Championships. It was the Paralympic athletes themselves who wanted to be given a voice since they have been excluded from the Paralympics of 2020, just when their movement is starting to take off. A sticker is displayed on each boat requesting re-admission, as was shown by the Federal Council delegate of the Paralympic classes Rodolfo Bergamaschi yesterday evening.
Windsurf RS:X – Circolo Surf Torbole - 11 W, 23 M
The wind reached 14-16 knots on the course for the Olympic windsurf RS:X and within 20 minutes three races were completed each with an Olympic course (slalom end) in front of Circolo Surf Torbole, which was assigned the on water logistics and organisation of the windsurfing competition.
In the men's category Daniele Benedetti takes the lead with three firsts followed by his fellow national Mattia Camboni (Civetavecchia), who trails him by 5 points (3-2-3). In third place way behind by 10 points is Argentinian Saubidet Birkner Bautista (11-3-4). Lying further back are Italians Federico Esposito seventh and Marco Baglione twelfth.
In the women's category Sara Chonoky leads with a 2-1-2 followed by Bernice Meg of France two points behind and by the other Frenchwoman Lucie Belbeoch(3-4-1). No Italians are in this event.
Laser Standard – Fraglia Vela Riva – 104 Standard and 52 Radial
The Laser class kicked off the racing with its fleet of 104 athletes split into two heats. In the men's category Australian Matt Wearn got off to a great start with two firsts. Second is Frenchman Bernaz with a 2-3 with yet another Australian in third place; Tom Burton is just two points behind second place. It was a good start for Italian Francesco Marrai who tied with Burton (2-3). Elliot Luke of Australia is one to watch out for as he won the second race although he finished tenth in the first race and lies seventh overall.
In the women's category Cebrian Martinez De Lagos Alic of Spain has a two point lead taking a first and a fourth. Second is Evi Van Acker of Belgium, bronze medallist in London 2012. Gintare Scheidt of Lithuania (wife of legendary Robert Scheidt) had excellent partials in the second race coming in second after an eleventh and for Brit Snellgrove a first after a fifteenth in the opening race.
Nacra 17 – Fraglia Vela Malcesine – 19 boats
The Nacra 17 mixed Catamarans are always a sight to behold; in the lead are New Zealanders Gemma Jones and Jason Saunders who with a 5-2-1 have a 5 point lead over Greeks Bekatorou- Trigkonis (2-5-6). Italians Vittorio Bissaro and Silvia Sicouri, after winning the first race, finished the day with two eighths placing them in third place. Multi champions (two Olympic medals and three Round the Worlds)Iker Martinez and Martina Lopez experienced a spectacular capsizing. In the first race they finished in 14th place but redeemed themselves by winning the next race.
49er FX – Circolo Vela Arco – 23 boats
Italians Giulia Conti and Francesca Clapcich remained true to form as they took a first and second giving them a 6 point lead over Brits Dobson – Alnsworth who were first in the third and last race of the day. Kurbay – Kanerva of Finland are third (2-8-4). Spaniards Dominguez – Betanzos came second in race 2.
49er – Circolo Vela Arco – 43 boats
The 49er class finished later than the others but managed to complete 3 close races. At the moment Germans Heil – Plossel are in first place with two firsts and a second. They hold a 10 point lead over fellow team members Schmidt-Boehme (8-3-3). Jjanuszewski – Nowak of Polòand are third (4-13-5). The first among the Italians are Cherin- Tesei of Trieste who are in 6th place coming in third in the first race followed by a 14th and a 6th. There's a very good chance that Tita Ruggero of Trentino will come up in the standings once the discard is applied for the worst race. Tita, together with Giacomo Cavalli withdrew from the first race but achieved a second and first which will give them a good result in the general standings.
470 M – Lega Navale Italiana, Riva del Garda – 22 boats
Sivits Kosuta and Jas Farneti are in the lead after two seconds over the Turkish crew of Deniz Cinar (5-1). With the same results but in reverse are Italians Emanuele and Enzo Savoini. The rest of the crews had alternate results so the next races should outline the general standings a little better.
470 W – Lega Navale Italiana – Riva del Garda – 16 boats
Slovenians Mrak – Macarol have got off to an excellent start with a second and a first giving them a 7 point lead over Russians Kiriyuk – Dmitrieva. Third are Italians Elena Berta and Giulia Paolillo.
Paralympic Classes
A high number of participants for all three paralympic classes representing 10 nations are taking part with a very high technical standard. Winds of 15-18 knots on the course at Malcesine.
SKUD 18 – Fraglia Vela Malcesine – 16 boats
British bronze medallists at the London 2012 Games Rickham – Birrel are in the lead with two firsts. Doing well are Italians Gualandris- Zanetti who with a third and a second hold a one point advantage over Canadians McRoberts – Gay (2-4).
2.4mR – Fraglia Vela Malcesine – 13 boats
Antonio Squizzato leads after a first and second ahead of Rafa Andaeias of Spain and the other Italian Nicola Redavid (2-5).
Sonar – Fraglia Vela Malcesine – 7 boats
Bauer-Brietzke-Krauss of Germany are in first place with two firsts over Wood-Cattermole- Palmer of Great Britain who had a fourth and a second. In steady form with two thirds are the Spaniards with Paco Llobet Ballcells at the helm. Italians D'Agaro-Solzzo- Pira after a good second place stumbled into a sixth to give them fourth place in the temporary standings.
Full results for all classes can be found here.