Garda Trentino Olympic Week - EUROSAF Champions Sailing Cup Day 4

Garda Trentino Olympic Week day 4 © Elena Giolai

Garda Trentino Olympic Week day 4 © Elena Giolai

There is over 60 years of history on this race course. In memory of Andrew "Bart" Simpson. Olympic sailing has returned to spark up the Upper Garda Trentino "triangle" for the first of 5 scheduled and the only Italian 2013 leg of the new circuit "Eurosaf Champions Sailing Club".

Garda Trentino Olympic Week was created through the collaboration of the sailing clubs of Fraglia Vela Riva, Circolo Vela Torbole, Circolo Vela Arco, Circolo Surf Torbole and Fraglia Vela Malcesine. 350 crews representing 43 countries with many medallists from the Beijing and London Games, have written the latest chapter in a history which was born in 1951 with Intervela the first legendary Italian regatta for the fleets of the sailing Games.

With all the other World and European Championships held Fraglia Vela Riva and Circolo Vela Torbole its difficult to keep count of all the great skippers who have who have won or prepared for the Olympics. It's impossible to name all of them but among them are Paul Elvstrom, Valentin Makin,Randy Smyth,Reg White, Jesper Bank, Italians Giorgio Dodo Gorla with Alfio Peraboni. During yesterday's regatta there was a remembrance for Andrew "Bart" Simpson who was killed in San Francisco while training on board the "Artemis". Simpson in the last few years achieved third place, with his helmsman Iain Percy, in the Europa Star at Malcesine. The pair had lost after going on the "rocks" during the last regatta of the event. Garda Trentino Olympic Week is only one of the many events that the association Vela Trentino is holding during the upcoming months and sailing seasons.

The EUROSAF Champions Sailing Club format

In the new format the opening/qualifying races called "Qualification Series", are held on the first two days. This used to be only for the Laser Standard class which was the only one dived into two heats for a number of participants exceeding 60. The first 25 qualifiers of the Laser Standard then race on the third and fourth day in the "fleet series" as the gold fleet with the remaining 80 athletes in the silver fleet (from 26th to 105th).

The other classes, the M & W 470, 49er, Finn,and Nacra continue to race in the same fleet as before "skipping" the fleet series (since they aren't divided into heats for participants exceeding 60). From the third day on of the regatta -Friday and Saturday-the objective is to reach the top 6 (8 for the 49er) for the final race (formally the medal race), held on the last day of the event.

The various classes reached the final race with the following number of races completed; 10 for the 470 Men & Women, 12 for the Nacra, 13 for the 49er, 9 for the Laser radial, 9 (6 qualifying + 3 fleet series) Laser Standard, 10 for the RS:X Female and 11 for the RS:X Men.

On the eve of the final race the first 6 of all the classes are chosen (8 for the 49er). In all the classes, except the 49er, the athletes reach the final with points corresponding to the standings before that moment, so the winner of the qualification/fleet series gets 1 point, the second 2 points and so on...with the points being added from the standings in the final race tomorrow (former medal race).

The final race for the 49er and the 470 will use the "Theatre race" formula as was tried out in the European 49er Championships in 2012 at Riva del Garda. It uses a very short course, rectangular, marked out by small buoys (as used in swimming pools) with each of the three regattas lasting about 10 minutes for the 49er class. For the first time ever the Theatre race will be used in the 470 Men's and Women's even if for only one leg. This is a spectacle that can be enjoyed even from the roadside which acts as a grandstand over the regatta course creating a real "natural theatre". The other classes will race on the normal course not marked out by buoys with races lasting much shorter in respect to the qualifying regattas of around 20' (half the time).

Tomorrow the FINAL RACE for the 470 and 49er classes (the only classes to race with the "theatre race "course which will be broadcast in streaming at around 12 (when, perhaps, the wind from the south picks up).

www.velagardatrentino.com

More information at http:www.velagardatrentino.com/Upload/documents/olympicweek2013/general/2013%20eurosaf%20csc%20Sls%20V4.pdf

470 Men Finalists (13 nations-26 crews- Riva del Garda, Fraglia Vela Riva)

1. CRO 83 Fantela-Marenic
2. ESP 9 Barrieros-Curbelo
3. GER 10 Gerz-Follmann
4. FRA 27 Sofian- Mion
5. TUR 1 Cinar-Cinar
6. Fra 34 Gabriel- Nebout

Today with winds from the north of 12-16 knots, 4 races were held bringing to a total of ten races before the final tomorrow. The Croatian crew of Fantela- Marenic have dominated from the start. They have three World Championship bronze medals from Barcelona, Perth and The Netherlands. They came 9th in the Beijing Olympics in 2008, 6th in London 2012, and were three times European 470 Champions, (2009-2011-2012). as well as being World Champions in 2009 in Denmark. They took 5 partial wins, two seconds and some lower positions leaving no chance for Spaniards Barrieros- Curbelo in second place 26 points behind, but which has no real importance since they will get two points going into the final corresponding to their position on the eve of the final race. They had two firsts and a second. Helmsman Barrieros, who came in 9th at the London games has started his new Olympic campaign with a new bowman with whom he raced on Lake Garda Trentino. Among the other 4 crews qualifying for the final race are Cinar-Cinar of Turkey participants at London 2012. Olympians Brauchli-Hausser of Switzerland are also in the fleet.

470 Women Finalists (6 nations- 10 crews-Riva del Garda, Fraglia Vela Riva)

1)SLO 64 Mrak-Macarol
2)NZL 75 Aleh-Powrie
3)BRA 187 Decnop-Swan
4)ITA 52 Komatar- Carraro
5)ITA45 Scotti-Nardeschi
6)CZE 7 Koranova- Mrzilkova

4 races were also completed for the women's 470 with the same conditions as the men. The standings are much less decisive going into the final race with Slovenians Mrak (bowman in London 2012)-Macarol leading from the first day very steady in the partials (with 6th being the worst result). Olympic Champions-gold medallists in London- are New Zealanders Aleh-Powrie in second place followed by Brazilians Decnop- Swan. Two Italian crews have reached the final race with Komatar-Carraro 4th and Scotti-Nardeschi 5th. It's all to play for tomorrow with the theatre race, new for everyone.

Results at www.velagardatrentino.com/idPm/1973/ncName/Results470W/news.aspx

Finn Finalists (21 nations- 60 crews- Malcesine)

1)GBR 11 Wright
2)EST 2 Karpak
3)CRO 3 Kijakovic
4)ITA 123 Baldassari
5)GRE 77 Mitakis
6)POL 17 Kula

This is a fine fleet, which despite starting later due to a lack of wind, recuperated enough to complete the maximum number of races, 12 in total. The first 6 who qualify for the final race have quite large margins between them. In first place is Brit Ed Wright who didn't even have a win but showed steady form throughout. All the other 5 athletes are Olympians from London 2012 including our own Filippo Baldassari (Fiamme Gialle) and who is gaining ground.

Results at www.velagardatrentino.com/idPm/1973/ncName/resultsFinn/news.aspx

Laser Standard Finalists (105 crews- Torbole)

1)AUS Burton
2)CRO Stipanovic
3)AUS Palk
4)FRA Bernaz
5)NZL Maloney
6)CRO Mihelic

The Gold of the Laser standard is Australian Tom Burton. The sailor from Sydney has always been in the lead. On the regatta course at Circolo Vela Torbole Croatian Tina Stipanovic is in second place. He was 4th in the London games. Third is the other Australian Ryan Palk who proved to be of great value to the "Aussie" squad in the Olympic single after taking the gold in London, with the great Tom Slingsby at the helm of the 45 foot catamaran "Oracle in the World series of the America's Cup. Marco Gallo of the Guardia di Finanza is 8th and Giovanni Coccoluto of the Fiamme Gialle is 9th.

Results at www.velagardatrentino.com/idPm/1973/ncName/ResultsLaserSt/news.aspx

Laser Radial Finalists (Women's-47 participants-22nations-Torbole)

1)IRL Murphy
2)CRO Mihelic
3)FIN Tenkanen T.
4)BLR Drozdovskaya
5)FIN Tenkanen H.
6)TUR Donertas

Annalise Murphy of Ireland leads in the Laser Radial class. She just missed the podium in last year's Games. Murphy is ahead of Croatian Tina Mihelic who came 17th in London and third is Tuula Tenkanen of Finland two places in front of sister Heidi who came 5th.

Results at www.velagardatrentino.com/idPm/1973/ncName/ResultsLaserRd/news.aspx

49er Finalists (24 crews – 10 nations Riva del Garda/Arco)

1)AUT 84 Delle-Resch
2)POL 52 Januszewski- Novak
3)NZL 6 Hansen-Porebski
4)ITA23 Plazzi-Molineris
5)ITA 1126 Angilella- Zucchetti
6)FRA 114 Frei-Rocherieux

In the double 49er, the Olympic acrobatic skiff, Austrians Nico Delle Kart and Marc Resch lead going into tomorrow's final. They were 4th in London 2012. In second place is Januszewski and Novak of Poland. Third are New Zealanders Porebski Hansen. 4th is the Italian team of Fraglia Vela Riva with Jacopo Plazzi and Umberto Molinaris who are ahead of Guiseppe Angilella (in London with Sibello) and Pietro Zucchetti (who competed in London with the 470 of Gabrio Zandonà), the crew which competed in the 2008 Olympics and were the challengers of the Sibello brothers.

Results at www.velagardatrentino.com/idPm/1973/ncName/Results49er/news.aspx

Nacra 17 Finalists (20 crews - 8 nations - Malcesine)

1) AUT 35 Zajac-Frank
2) NZL 102 Jones-Saunders
3) AUS 36 Waterhouse-Darmanin
4) ITA 37 Bissaro-Sicouri
5) ITA Salvà-Bianchi
6) Porro-Banti

The mixed crew catamaran Nacra 17 is busy on the race course at Fraglia, Malcesine. After 12 races the leaders are Austrians Thomas Zajac and Tanja Frank. Zajac already made his mark as a great helmsman on the Tornado, second in the World Championships in 2009 when he was beaten by Australians Bundock- Ashby, 7 times World Champions and today skipper in the America's Cup with team "Oracle"and "Team New Zealand". The crew of Zajak- Frank have Italian Angelo Glisoni as their coach, (former World Tornado Champion), of Lake d'Iseo. In second place are "Kiwis" Gemma Jones and Jason Saunders. Third are Waterhouse- Darmanin of Australia. 4th are Italians Vittorio Bissaro of Fraglia Vela Malcesine and Silvia Sicouri, daughter of oceanic navigator Pierre Sicouri. In a good 5th position is Chicca Salvà (two times Olympian on the 470), and Francesco Bianchi. 6th are Porro-Banti.

Results at www.velagardatrentino.com/idPm/1973/ncName/ResultsNacra17/news.aspx

RS:X Men Finalists (24 athletes- 13 nations - Torbole)

1) NED 8 Van Rijsselberghe
2) GBR 1 Dempsey
3) GBR 7 Carney
4) GBR 931 Squires
5) GER 3 Wilhelm
6) ITA 2 Baglione

7 races have been completed in the men's board with Olympic gold medallist Van Rijsselberghe clearly in the lead with 6 partial wins and a second. The British team follows captained by London silver medallist Dempsey. Marcantonio Baglione of Italy also managed to qualify.

Standings at www.velagardatrentino.com/idPm/1973/ncName/ResultsRs-XM/news.aspx

RS:X Female Finalists: (9 athletes- 6 nations - Torbole)

1) GBR 94 Shaw
2) ITA 46 Tartaglini
3) HKG Chan Hei Man
4) GBR 30 Hamilton
5) ITA 82 Fanciulli
6) USA 3 Hall

After the retirement from competition of Olympian Alessandra Sensini, the level of the participants has returned once again to be Olympian. In the lead is Brit Shaw, 7th at the London games followed by Flavia Tartaglini, showing great form at the start of the season and winner of the Palma World Cup in Majorca. Third is Chan Hei Man of Hong Kong, 11th in London and qualifying with an excellent 5th position is our own Veronica Fanciulli of Italy.

Results at www.velagardatrentino.com/idPm/1973/ncName/ResultsRs-XW/news.aspx

All regatta Documents (course, starting time, etc.) at www.velagardatrentino.com/cId/147/idPm/1982/pagina.aspx

More information on the regatta format at www.eurosaf.org/images/phocagallery/ESC/PDF/ecscpresentation.pdf