Soto40 World Championship in Florianopolis, Brazil - Overall

Argentinean victory

After five days of intense racing, Norberto Alvarez Vitale's Argentinean boat "Patagonia" was crowned 2015 Soto 40 International Class champion. Eduardo De Souza Ramos's "Pajero" finished in second position, followed by Dag Von Appen's "Itaú".

The last and decisive races started at 13:05 with 160 degrees wind of about 13 knots. The German ship "EarlyBird" made an excellent start and was the first to reach the windward mark, followed by Chilean "Itaú" and the Brazilian "Pajero". The positions remained the same until the end and "EarlyBird" earned his first victory in this contest, being fifth in the generals. The last race went to the "Pajero" followed by the "Estampa DelViento" and "Mitsubishi".

"More than happy. When Cole invited me I do not hesitate for a second because it is a team in which they are all friends. I am very grateful with everyone." said Juan Ignacio Grimaldi, helmsman of Patagonia.

"Beto is an amazing owner and person. I remember when in 2010 we race one of the first championships with Patagonia here, and I asked the guys how was possible to being in last position and no one was angry, and that's the strongest thing that has the Patagonia team, from the beginning when it was really hard to be first, there was never a yes or a no, we were a "team" from the outset. We managed to win championships but we had always failed in major appointments and this was an opportunity to fix that." Mariano "Cole "Parada, tactician of Patagonia.

When I ask both which was the difference between this championship with others who have ever race, both agreed: "The good vibe and passion that they managed with the boat."

We also have two more awards, the "Owner Driver" trophy which has been won by Dag Von Appen and the winner of the South American Tour, Mitsubishi, owned by Horacio Pavez, which has maintained its top position in the circuit, almost being snatched by the Pajero Eduardo De Souza Ramos.

The Soto 40 World Championship 2015 was held from 7 to 16 April in Iate clube Veleiros da Ilhas (Jurere, Brazil). The participating teams were "Carioca" (BRA), "Crioula" (BRA), "Earlybird" (GER), "Estampa DelViento" (CHI), "Itaú" (CHI), "Magia V Energisa" (BRA), " Mitsubishi "(CHI)," Pajero "(BRA)," Patagonia "(ARG)," Ocean Pact "(BRA) and" Santander "(CHI).

Congratulations to all the Patagonia team: Norberto "Beto" Alvarez Vitale (owner), Juan Pablo Cadario (bowman), Diego Longstaff (mid-bow / grinder), Angel Gil (pitman), Lucas Ezequiel Vescio (navigator), Luis Couyet (trimmer), Ramiro Ocariz (trimmer), Francisco Bellocchio (strategist), Pablo Despontin (trimmer), Juan Ignacio Grimaldi (helmsman), Mariano "Cole" Parada (tactician / skipper), Javier Cáceres (shore team).

You'll find the links to watch the replay of the Worlds races at www.soto40.org/soto40worlds