The 42nd Garda Lake Opti Meeting starts under the rain: the 10th Country Cup is awarded to Iason Panagoupoulos

Riva del Garda – The 42nd edition of the Garda Optimist Meeting kicked off today, immediately putting the almost twelve hundred young sailors to the test in difficult weather conditions, characterized by biting cold and pouring rain. A peculiarity of this day was the direction of the wind which, although light in intensity, blew steadily from the north: a singular occurrence for Lake Garda where, usually, in the central hours of the day the breeze comes from the south.

Despite the complicated weather, the event opened with the usual great enthusiasm and, thanks to the determination shown by all the young sailors, who arrived in Riva representing thirty-eight nations, ranging from Japan to Brazil, from Mexico to Argentina , two tests were held for the Juniors and one for the Cadets. The work done by the Regatta Committee, chaired by Gianfranco Crevatin, was excellent, as it exploited every opportunity to end the day with the best possible outcome.

Among the Cadets, the only race was won by Pietro Lombardi (Fraglia Vela Malcesine), who leads the provisional classification with the minimum margin over Jugo Lazzeruini (Circolo Vela Torbole) and with two points over the German Takeo Korte (Muelenberger Segelclub).

Among the Juniors, protagonists of two races, the lead of the classification was taken by the Swede Alexander Forssen (Team Happy) who, with three points, precedes the Turkish Mehmet Erkut Budak (Turkish National Team) by two points and the Brazilian Manuel by three points. Braganca (ICRJ).

Canceled yesterday due to lack of wind, the 10th Country Cup was awarded today on the basis of the results of the first round of the 42nd Garda Optimist Meeting, taking into consideration the placings of the athletes originally registered for this event which involves one representative for each of the competing nations. The winner was the Greek Iason Panagopoulos, who put in line the French Philippe Papin and the Brazilian Joana Freitas. The Country Cup perpetual challenge trophy was awarded to the winner during a well-attended ceremony held at the headquarters of the Blue Garden shopping centre, partner of Fraglia Vela Riva.

The 42nd edition of the Garda Optimist Meeting will resume tomorrow: the preparatory signal is set for 10 am.