Platu 25 World Championships at Gmunden, Austria - Overall
by Carla Anselmi 3 Jun 2011 19:07 BST
28 May - 3 June 2011
Italian EUZ II crew crowned champions
Exciting final day for the Platu 25 Worlds with two races in stiff breeze. The Italian crew of EUZ II are crowned World champions, the Spanish on Mundo Marino are silver and German team Falkone gets the bronze.
It was Lake Traunsee at its best today. Finally the fresh breeze that everyone has been waiting for the whole championship arrived in Gmunden, guaranteeing a spectacular finale to the 2011 Platu 25 Worlds. The fleet left the marina at ten a.m. finding a good north-easterly of more than 15 knots for the first race of the day. A lot was at stake, especially for the Spanish teams who lived a disappointing day yesterday but were quick in recovering. Collection Coppel Dental helmed by Jose Manuel Perez, scored a first, GAES Mundo Marino skippered by one of the best Spanish talents, the Olympic Champion Paco Sánchez closed in second while third place went to Matahambre. As the Iberians were fighting to climb back to the top positions, less was asked to the provisional leaders of EUZ II for whom a fourth was enough to stay in the top spot with a solid 16 points advantage on their competitors.
And thus it was the second and final race to represent the very last chance to jump on the other steps of the podium. With a wind topping 20 knots, the 46 Platu 25 fought to the last tack, with overcrowded mark roundings and several protests. As EUZ II closed their Worlds in grand style with a third place, the other teams were battling for decisive points. It was GAES Mundo Marino to cross the finish line in first, followed by the German team Five 4 the Eight. Falkone were eleventh, not one of their best results in the series, but enough to get the third overall position. As the Jury dismissed the protests the champions were finally free to celebrate and congratulate to each others.
Quotes:
Sandro Montefusco, helmsman on EUZ II Monella Viziata:
“Finally two perfect races, in 16 to 20 knots of breeze. We were not expecting such a great final day after the weather conditions we had over the week. In the first race we started well and kept our position to the finish, the second one was a bit more complicated, we had a bad start and did not profit from some wind shifts. At a point we were 15th but tried to keep our nerves and slowly climbed back to the first part of the fleet. It’s a great result and a huge emotion.”
A teary-eyed but grinning Francesco Lanera, owner of EUZ II declared:
“The whole team was hoping for this title, but I’m not used to such a joy. Obviously Sandro Montefusco was a guarantee but I’m not used to this stress! It’s fantastic, I can hardly believe it. I have to thank each and everyone in my crew and my family and sponsors. We showed we are a strong team, determined to win despite the difficult weather conditions and the strain.”
Francisco Sánchez helm on GAES Mundo Marino:
“We did not expect this result, we’re very happy with this second place in Gmunden. It was a tricky championship with difficult wind conditions for all. We tried to be as consistent as possible and had three wins. The team is very satisfied right now. It was an incredible place to race and I’m sure that we will keep a very fond memory of Gmunden”
Ole Von Studnitz tactician on Falkone, about their bronze medal:
“We are more than satisfied. We are corinthians, none of us is a professional. And we started sailing together just one year ago on a new boat. My team has been fantastic, it was a great Championship with a high technical level. The Spanish were very competitive as were some German crews, well prepared and experienced. So it’s simply super for us to get the bronze, it’s more than we expected”
Overall Results: (top ten, 9 races, 1 discard)
1st ITA 243, EUZ ll MONELLA VAGABONDA, 37pts
2nd ESP 25158, GAES MUNDO MARINO, 51pts
3rd GER 1, FALKONE, 61pts
4th GER 63, KYRA, 63.3pts
5th ESP 25451, BRIBON MOVISTAR, 64pts
6th ITA 82, NANUK, 68pts
7th ESP 25422, THE COLLECTION-COPPE DENTAL, 73pts
8th ESP 25521, MATA HAMBRE, 76pts
9th ESP 25068, MEXILLON DE GALICIA MOVISTAR, 100pts
10th GER 140, MURTFELDT, 100pts
More information on the Platu 25 class website.