18ft Skiff European Grand Prix at Lake Como, Italy - Day 1
by Andy Richards 27 May 2007 08:54 BST
Team Pindar Radii got off the a outstanding start to their European Grand Prix campaign when in light winds they won the first race of the Italian 18ft Skiff Grand Prix. The event, staged at Gravedona on Lake Como, is the first of the five events that will crown the overall European champion.
Saturday dawned grey and damp with little chance of sailing as the thermal winds would never be allow to build. But by mid afternoon, the skies had cleared enough to get a little flow of breeze to allow one race. Starting conservatively in the middle of the line, Pindar Radii found space to allow them to tack away early to the favoured right hand side of the course. By the windward mark, the team had put themselves in third place behind the two British teams of General Electric and Pica. But a great downwind leg saw them squeeze into the lead from which they sailed a text book tactical race to take the winning gun by just over a minute. Elcotec from Italy got up to second place briefly showing their lighting fast light wind speed, but dropped back to fourth allowing the other two British teams to squeeze in.
"This was a great start to our campaign. We've spent a lot of time and energy during the winter season to get the boat up to speed, and to take the gun on the first outing for our new Norths rig is very pleasing. We'll take one race at a time, but this is a rewarding start to the series after all the hard work" commented Andy Richards, helm of Pindar Radii.
There are a total of 21 entries from 7 countries are taking part in this first event, two weeks before the season's major event in Lake Garda, where 30+ entries are expected and the Australians and Americans will pit themselves against the European fleet.
With races lost from today's programme, an earlier start on Sunday is planned to try and squeeze in four races.
Results after Race 1:
1st Pindar Radii (GBR)
2nd General Electric (GBR)
3rd Pica (GBR)
4th Elcotec (ITA)
5th www.skiffsailing.hun (HUN)
6th Botolex (DEN)