RS Feva European Championship at Gargnano, Lake Garda - Day 2

RS Feva Europeans at Gargnano, Lake Garda day 2 © Francesco Fogazzi

Sailors arose early this morning hopeful for racing in the morning Northerly 'Peler' breeze on Lake Garda. They were rewarded with blue skies as the sun came up over the mountain tops, and with it a stable breeze of around 12 knots.

As teams launched, we caught up with the leading Italian boys, Vladislav Zanetti and Giacomo Ceolaro, who went into the day snapping at the heels of the leading bunch of British boats. Holding 6th position overnight the pair admitted that they enjoyed the light and tactical wind of yesterday and that they were very pleased with their start to the regatta. They went on to say that although they expected today to be more challenging, they were hopeful about their results for the remainder of the event.

Race 1 got underway on schedule in the steadier breeze, presenting sailors with new conditions. Racing was tight and the leaders battled around the track for the top position. British boat, Fin and Dan Armstrong lead the way, just holding off teammates, Jack and Lucas to the finish. Meanwhile the Italian team, Mattia Zinetti and Davide Carbonelli posted a 6th place after their 7th yesterday. Their consistency paid off and after 2 races they had snuck into 4th position overall.

The morning breeze fizzled for the second race as temperatures began to rise, so competitors were sent back to the shore to soak up some Italian rays over lunch. Right on time the infamous stable southerly breeze known as the Ora began to establish and teams eagerly returned to the start line.

A light race 2 held further up the lake offered sailors a new race area and a new challenge. Italian team, Mattia and Davide well and truly made their mark by taking the bullet ahead of Daniel Lewis and Tristan Payne of GBR and fellow Italians, Giacomo Giambarda and Daniele Minoni. The result saw Mattia and Davide move up to 3rd overall while Jack and Lucas and Freya and Hattie who have solidly held on to the top 2 spots from the start narrowly maintained their lead.

Clouds started rolling over the mountains and the wind started to drop but a light and steady breeze held on the race area as teams continued with the tactical racing. Local knowledge appeared to be paying off with another Italian team, Nicolò Codeghini and Edoardo Gamba clinching the top spot, followed by Freya & Hatty and Daniel & Tristan both from GBR. With 4 results now on the score board, boats were able to discard their lowest results, which gave Freya and Hatty a helping hand, bringing them up to equal points with the leaders. Meanwhile Estonian team, Keith Luur and Rasmus Maalinn slotted in a 6th place to put them in 9th place overall and on joint points with Italian, Czech and British teams. The fight for the top 10 was wide open.

A slight increase in the breeze allowed for the 4th and final race of the day to get underway. For the third race running, Italians dominated as Nicolò and Edoardo took the top spot once again, just ahead of Britain's Dan & Tristan and Nicolo Forasacco & Nicolò Roina of Italy. The Czech team, Jaroslav Cermak and Petr Kostal sailed a solid final race of the day to slot in a 5th place.

All change on the leader board after today's racing with 4 nations now inside of the top 8. Dan and Tristan (GBR) have leap-frogged Freya and Hatty to move into the lead overnight. Jack Lewis and Lucas Marshall (GBR) now sit in 3rd overall with Italian teams Mattia & Davide and Nicolò & Edoardo close behind in 4th and 5th position respectively. Jaroslav & Petr of the Czech Republic had a strong day to take 7th position overnight, while Estonian team, Keith Luur and Rasmus Maalinn climbed up the leader board after 2 consecutive 6th places to put them in 8th position overnight. It's all to play for tomorrow!

Results can be found here.