Volvo D-One Gold Cup at Circolo Nautico al Mare e Marina di Alassio Overall
by Michele Tognozzi 22 Oct 2012 09:03 BST
18-21 October 2012
Trcka wins after amazing finale
It was an adrenaline pumping finale for the 2012 D-One Gold Cup on Sunday in Alassio. A great showdown was expected, with four helmsmen that could still win the title, and a big show took place in West Ligurian waters.
Bright sunshine, warm temperatures and a northerly breeze from 10 to 12 knots provided the perfect scenario for the 38 D-Oners from 9 countries fighting for the final double point non-discardable race.
The 2012 D-One Gold Cup ended up in the hands of Czech sailor Martin Trcka, but lot of surprises came in during the race. Young Czech Viktor Teply controlled the race from the start but capsized at the last gennaker hoist. At that point Trcka had a fast run to the finish, but the real fight was going on behind him, where come-from-behind Argentinian Agustin Zabalua, a former D-One Gold Cup winner, recovered 10 boats on the second beat to fight for his chance. If Zabalua could grab second place in the last race, the Gold Cup would take a Valencian route. With a third, Czech Trcka would have the Gold Cup in his hands. Italian Andrea Casale broke Zabalua's dream fighting hard on the last run. On the finish line, after Zabalua's last gybe, only half a metre separated the two D-Oners, but the Italian bowsprit was ahead.
So the winner of the 2012 D-One Gold Cup is Martin Trcka, a former Olympian for his country in the Laser class. Zabalua ended up in second just one point behind. Third was Italian sailor Pietro Sibello, winner of two races in this Championship. 21 year old Teply finalized in fourth. Fifth was Andrea Casale and sixth went to the ever consistent Italian Michele Mennuti who took the Corinthian title. The Masters title went to another Czech sailor, Marek Bachtick.
Martin Trcka said about his Gold Cup: "Viktor had the final race in his hands all the time, but unfortunately for him and fortunately for me he capsized on the second hoist and that was it. Looking on the duel between Casale and Zabalua, I was a little bit nervous but it ended well. About the D-One she is an awesome dinghy. It's quite intensive actually and you have tough and intensive sailing. You got the speed and the pleasure of sailing as well. Thanks to Luca Devoti for made such a great boat".
Overall Results can be found here
The 2013 edition of the D-One Gold Cup will be sailed on Attersee, Austria, in late September.