The South American qualification tournament for the Youth Olympic Games has kicked off in style. The 23 windsurfers from 7 countries, who have come to Paracas, Peru for the regatta have not been let down. The sun, the wind, the atmosphere – an unbeatable combination for a perfect week of racing. [more]
 
The day started slowly with sailors registering for the event, but as the wind picked up, everybody knew that what was going to happen later was going to be spectacular. And it was. Three races were sailed back-to-back for both Youth Men and Youth Women in wind speeds reaching 20 kts. Tired, but happy the sailors came for a break ashore, before one more race for the men was conducted.

Among the countries seeking to qualify is Brazil, who has come to Peru in a strong team of 8.
 
Bernardo Simanke Lobo, who is in Parcas for the Youth Olympic Games Qualifier, where he hopes to qualify Brazil to the Games enjoyed the first day of racing – “Today the conditions were pretty good, in the first three races especially. Now the wind dropped a little for the fourth, but I still enjoyed it. The M course, which we sailed today is my preferred format, a course that is especially fun in planing conditions, like today.”
Bernando’s friend Guilherme Munhoz added – “We trained a lot on the Techno293Plus before this event. We trained in different conditions, places and formats. Including slalom. I think we’re ready for this competition and to qualify Brazil for the Youth Olympic Games.”
 
So, will the Brazilian Youth deliver the qualification? It looks like it after the first day of racing, but three more days ahead and much can happen as 15 races are scheduled in total during the event.