Garda Trentino Olympic Week - Day 3
by Elena Giolai 11 May 2016 23:09 BST
9-13 May 2016
Racing in the rain
Rain and wind were prevalent on the third day of Garda Trentino Olympic Week. The event organised by Fraglia Vela Riva in collaboration with Eurosaf, the Italian Sailing Federation and Fraglia Vela Malcesine goes on through Friday, 13th May. If the paralympic classes are the best in the field at Riva del Garda, then the Laser regattas have a strong formative value given the relatively young age of the participants, who are most likely starting to set their sights on a future Olympics.
As we had hoped for, the bad weather at least provided us with the morning north wind and all three races scheduled for today were completed on both courses. The Laser Standard and Radial at Riva del Garda and at Malcesine the paralympic 2.4 Sonar and Skud. Since the weather forecast for tomorrow predicts bad weather, racing will once again start at 9.00 am. Meanwhile on Lake Garda the first GC32 catamarans are starting to make an appearance. At the end of May they will inaugurate the 2016 Tour at Fraglia Vela Riva with 10 teams at the starting gate and a great spectacle guaranteed.
Laser Radial (W), Fraglia Vela Riva
Italian Valentina Balbi 7-1-6 takes over the lead tied on points with Moreira of Uruguay 6-3-3. Two points behind is Maelle Frascari of Rome (CC Anienne), 2-7-4. The gap between the top positions is very small and the next couple of days will show who is most consistent.
Laser Standard (M), Fraglia Vela Riva
Holding on to the lead and tied on points is Tepy of the Czech Republic who notched up another first a fifth and a sixth. Right behind is Komissarov of Russia who picked up his form after an eighth on the first day to take an impressive 2-1-2. Nicolò Villa of Circolo Vela Torbole is 7 points behind (8-2-5) and Marco Benini of Fraglia Vela Riva is fourth. He came third in today's third race but did less well in the other two races (9-12).
Paralympic Class, Fraglia Vela Malcesine
Three more races were held today at Fraglia Vela Malcesine after the light winds on Monday. The change in weather conditions also changed the positions at the top of the standings. With 5 races completed in all three classes the discard was introduced for the worst result.
2.4Mt
Matt Bugg of Australia climbs into first place after three wins today while Italian Antonio Squizzato achieves three seconds bringing him to second place overall. Salomaa of Finland is third three points behind Squizzato (8-3-3).
Skud
Brits Rickham-Birrell (bronze medallists at London 2012), take the lead after a fifth followed by a string of firsts. Also showing great form are Australians Fitzgibbon-Tesch (Gold in London), penalised by a non start in the last race preceded by a 3-2. Moving up one place into fourth are Italians Gualandris-Zanetti (Fiamme Gialle) with a 2-5-5 today.
Sonar
It's neck and neck between the top two positions in the Sonar class with the British crew lead by John Robertson (3 time World champion) and the crew of Australian Colin Harrison who hold the first two places respectively with just one point separating them. Further back by seven points are Italians D' Agaro-Pira Solazzo. They raced well today and moved up a place thanks to three thirds.
Standings at www.fragliavelariva.it/regatta/2060/view
Photo gallery at goo.gl/photos/86cDNmQCdcsutdke7