The 29er European Championship is just four races away from the end
Riva del Garda – The Peler arrives and the 29er European Championship produces a clear change of pace, thanks to the completion of four races in a single morning. The decision to give the first start at 7.30, matured by the collaboration between the PRO Carlo Tosi, the Class Representative Peter Lubeck and the Fraglia Vela Riva team on the water, coordinated by Fausto Maroni, was in fact rewarded by the conditions that have made Garda Trentino famous among sailors from all over the world, granting this stretch of lake the nickname of ‘wind factory’.
Intense and competitive races, arrived after yesterday’s nothing, which brought the total to nine, giving a new face to the general classification: in command, with a margin of just one point over the closest pursuers, are now the Germans Lucas and Moritz Hamm (2-9-1-1), who have long been at the top of the class. Hot on their heels are the Swiss Ikke Huber and Liam Berger (3-3-5-3), who have been in evidence since the opening stages of this highly-attended event.
Thirteen points behind, the French Alexadre Mostini and Raphael Allain (14-2-8-11) are chased by three crews, all separated by just one point: fourth are the Norwegians Holt-Forslund, in whose wake are two other French pairs, composed of Huet De Aunay-Gresset and Le Goff-Vidor.
Among the mixed crews, the Puerto Ricans Izabella Calzadilla and Diego Power, whose upwind performances are noteworthy, are flying to the lead, settling in thirteenth place overall thanks to the success obtained in today’s first race. The two are followed ten points away by the Italians Giulia Bartolozzi and Pietro Rizzi, currently eighteenth overall, called to attempt the feat tomorrow.
In the women’s field, the Polish Antonina Puchowask and Alicija Dampc confirm their lead, awaiting an absolutely adrenaline-filled final day, given that the French Petronille Lascane and Raphaelle Kimbel are only one point away.
In addition to the Gold Fleet, all the remaining fleets (Silver, Bronze and Emerald) have also completed four races on the regatta fields directed by the Committee Presidents Valentina Bravi and Fabrizio Donato.
Tomorrow, the last day of the 29er European Championship, with the start set once again for 7:30, the Race Committee will attempt to complete another four races.
The event, which sees two hundred and fifty-one crews from twenty-nine nations gathered together, will come to a close in the afternoon with the awards ceremony.
