European Team Race Youth RS Aero Championships in Cagliari - Day 2
by Elena Giolai 26 Oct 18:31 BST
25-27 October 2024
An intense second day of the RS Aero European Youth Team Race Championship, held in the picturesque Su Siccu basin (between Luna Rossa's base and the Marina di Bonaria) in Cagliari-Italy, ended today.
Despite the challenging wind conditions, with gusts of 20-25 knots, the round robin ended regularly thanks to the natural protection of the race course, which allowed the 12 teams to complete all 66 matches scheduled.
This second day was characterised by an extraordinary performance by Italia 2 (light blue bibs), represented by Alice Sussarello and Filippo Vincis of the Lega Navale del Sulcis, who won all the matches played, thus gaining first place in the ranking. The team showed grit and technique, overcoming opponents and difficult conditions with a series of decisive victories that brought them to the top. Ukraine (purple bibs), the leader on the first day, suffered two defeats, dropping in the rankings and making way for Italy 2.
Currently, completing the provisional podium is Lithuania 2 (white bibs), which takes third place; followed by Belgium (yellow bibs), which takes fourth place after a particularly competitive round robin.
With the last phase of the round robin completed, the Championships now move on to the semi-finals and finals, which will decide the winning team on Sunday. The spectators and companions of the teams, welcomed by the facilities of the Società Canottieri Ichnusa that organises the event in collaboration with the Lega Navale del Sulcis by delegation of the Federazione Italiana Vela, will be able to watch from Cagliari's seafront a final that promises close battles and therefore great entertainment. The event once again confirms the value of European youth sailing, in a setting that enhances the technical and tactical preparation, as well as the knowledge of team race regulations on the part of the under-25 athletes present in Cagliari. Add to that the manoeuvrability of the RS Aero boat and you have the perfect formula for this event, which has as its trump card a fantastic location that allows racing in all wind and sea conditions.