Two races today, the penultimate day of the Formula Windsurfing Youth and Masters World Championships in Gallipoli. Competition started late as the wind was very gusty earlier in the day – and very variable in direction – big shifts making it difficult to set a course.[more]
Today’s races, making 11 in total for the series, meant the third and last discard kicked in, much to the relief of some sailors who suffered in the very light wind races earlier in the week.
It was same top 5 finishers in both Masters’ races – in the same finishing order – which was also mirrored in the podium places in the overall rankings after 11. Janis Preiss (Latvia) took back the lead from overnight leader Miguel Martinho (Portugal) whilst Marco Begali (Italy) consolidated his third position overall – and is the leading GrandMaster.
Not such a good start for the clear leader in the Youth fleet in race 10 – Karl-Erik Saarm posted his worst finishing place in the series, coming in 4th. Consistent placings for Leonardo Venturini (Brasil) and Jan Orsatti (Switzerland) kept them in 2nd and 3rd respectively in the overall rankings.
Our leading Junior (ie under 17) Lars van Someren (Netherlands) posted another great finish, 3rd in race 10. In August Lars will be representing NED in the Youth Olympics in Nanjing, China.
Local sailor, Luciano Treggiari, is first Veteran, and has moved up to 12th overall on the leaderboard.
Racing concludes tomorrow, 5th July. Will it be Preiss or Martinho who takes home the Masters title?
Event Website: surfingitalygallipoli.com
photo: Emilio Passeri
