Star European Championship in Split, Croatia - Day 3
by Rachele Vitello 28 May 2021 20:03 BST
24-29 May 2021
On a very light wind day, so different from what we've seen so far in Split, Croatia, the Italian duo Enrico Chieffi and Nando Colaninno scored a bullet and second place that made them 2021 Star European Champions with a race to spare!
They put their boat in the water this morning seven points behind Star Class President Hubert Merklebach and Kilian Weise (GER), who seemed unstoppable in the strong breeze. Today's different conditions, shiftier wind from the North between 4 and 6 knots, didn't sit well with the German team who discarded an 18 and scored a 12. Chieffi/Colaninno had a brilliant day with two amazing starts and an excellent at managing the race course of the difficult racecourse, it was the perfect day to win their first Star European title.
"What an amazing sailing, I mean this morning it was so difficult, light air going everywhere, this afternoon was more of a sea breeze, but we have a good boat and we raced very well, great starts, and it was a great day, nothing more than that!"
"I am a very happy 'old' guy who is really enjoying this moment, because you know, at this stage of my life, every good thing is a present, and this is such a great gift!!" Commented Enrico Chieffi, Star World Champion in 1996 in Rio de Janeiro.
Augie Diaz (USA) and Christian Nehammer (AUT) had another good day together and are now tied for third on points with Merkelbach Merkelbach/Weise. The other bullet of the day went to Mate Arapov and Ante Sitic (CRO), fifth overall, while local hero Tonci Stipanovic with Tudor Bilic are third after throwing off the very first race.
Tomorrow is the last day of the Championship and only one race is scheduled with a 1pm start, local time. The forecast is for a sea breeze day from south west, between 10 and 12 knots. It'll be interesting to see how the podium will shape up, but the 2021 European Championship title is already secured in Enrico Chieffi and Nando Colaninno's hands.
Full results available here.