29th Ora Cup Ora Optimist Regatta at Circolo Vela Arco concludes
by Elena Giolai 13 Aug 2024 17:46 BST
10-12 August 2024
29th Ora Cup Ora Optimist Regatta © Elena Giolai
29th Ora Cup Ora Optimist Regatta podium ©Elena Giolai
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The Optimist summer youth sailing festival came to a close with the third and final day of the Ora Cup, a regatta organised by Circolo Vela Arco on behalf of the Italian Sailing Federation, now in its 29th edition.
The event, increasingly eagerly awaited by young sailors, attracts not only Italian participants, but also a growing number of international athletes, including those from overseas. Registrations, limited for logistical reasons, reached almost 550 participants, with a further 200 requests that unfortunately were not accepted. In particular, there was an increase in the number of helmsmen from countries both distant and emerging in this sport: in addition to the United States, already a constant presence at international events on Garda Trentino, this year also saw the participation of teams from China, Singapore, Canada, Hong Kong and Azerbaijan, in addition to the main European countries, for a total of 29 nations.
Cadets - Division B Under 11 (93 participants)
Italy took the top step of the podium thanks to the perseverance of Pietro Lombardi (2-4-[12]-3-5-6-4,Italy), who managed to overtake France's Antoinette Papin on the last day, albeit by just one point. In third place overall, and second among the girls, was Alix Nguyen-Minh, representing Hong Kong. A spectacular comeback on the last day allowed Jugo Lazzerini (Italy) to move up three places and finish fourth after a brilliant 2-1 finish on the last day. Fifth and sixth place for Pietro Bonomo and Martino Broilo (Italy). Turkey (Mert Durkal), USA (Dylan Strickon), Switzerland (Melisa Adakan, third female) and Germany (Casper Schweiger) completed the top 10 finishers and prize-winners.
Juniores - Division A Under 15 (466 participants)
The last two races on Monday saw an exciting challenge between the top 93 helmsmen in the junior fleet. Also in this category, regularity prevailed over individual victories: Turkish Budak, second before the finals, with two sixth places on Monday managed to win both the Ora Cup and the Armare Ropes Trophy, awarded to the best overall score (without discards) obtained between the Lombardi Trophy, organised last week by Fraglia Vela Malcesine, and the regatta organised this weekend at Circolo Vela Arco. Martino Paone Mittner (Italy) made a remarkable comeback, moving from fifth to second place overall. Third place went to Sweden's Alexander Forssén, penalised by a 26th place that could not be discarded in the finals, but lifted by a victory in the seventh and final race, which however was not enough to maintain the leadership he had achieved after the first two days of competition. Fourth place for the American Munoz Montes, while Sofia Bommartini Italy) took fifth overall and first among the girls, followed by Irene Faini (Italy) and Frenchwoman Lilou Backes.