29er Eurocup at Fraglia vela Riva, Lake Garda

29er and 29erXX Eurocup on Lake Garda © GT Foto di Gianni Tomazzoni

29er and 29erXX Eurocup on Lake Garda © GT Foto di Gianni Tomazzoni

Day 1

Today’s 1pm warning signal kicked off the 2009 edition of the 29er and 29erXX Eurocup sailing event. Southerly winds, blowing strong and steadily powered the day’s first race. Winds increased for the day’s second and third races.

On the water: thirty-one 29er crews representing seven nation-states (GER, CRO, ITA, NOR, SWE, AUT, SUI) and nine 29erXX representing four nation-states (GBR, GER, ITA, FIN) took part. Among the 29er Class, Germany’s Justus Schmidt and Max Boehme (GER 23) top the provisional rankings with first day results of 1, 3, 2. In second position are Domagoj Fizulic and Leon Ostrez (CRO 1341) with results of 4, 2, 4. Third position is held by Paul Kohlhoff and Tim Kramer (GER 1280) with race results of 2, 4, 5.

The host organization Fraglia Vela Riva has two crews near the top, respectively holding fourth and fifth positions. Each of them also won a race today. That’s Riccardo Camin and Lorenzo Franceschini (ITA 8) in fourth position and Augusto Poropat and Giacomo Grosselli (ITA 1209) in fifth. Fraglia also has an all-female crew, fairly well-positioned at fifteenth; Alice Agnoletto and Giuditta Colombi.

The 29erXX Class’ temporary overall scores and rankings are topped by 2 British crews. Katie Nurton and Louise Walker (GBR 2) hold first position with scores 2, 1, 1. In second position David Hall and Hanna Dahlborg (GBR 777) with scores 1, 4, 4.

Day 2

Four races were sailed today, with steady southerly winds blowing around 6–8 metres per second. Justus Schmidt and Max Boehme (GER 23) maintained the lead in the 29ers with scores of 1, 2, 2, 2. Following close behind them are two crews from the home club of Fraglia Vela Riva: Riccardo Camin and Lorenzo Franceschini (ITA 8) with race results of 2, 4, 1, 1 today and Augusto Poropat and Giacomo Grosselli (ITA 1209) with results of 3, 1, 13, 6.

The 29erXX Class, despite the smaller number of competitors, proved itself amply capable of giving surprises and suspense; there is a tie at the top between Daniele Poli (ITA 4 – C.V. Orta) and Phillip Mueller (GER 51).

Day 3

Tricky northerly winds power the event’s final two races, blowing initially around 7 metres per second, then dropping off to a disappointing 2 m/s. In the 29er class, Riccardo Camin and Lorenzo Franceschini (ITA 8 – Fraglia Vela Riva) claimed the event victory with the German team of Justus Schmidt and Max Boeme (GER 23) second. Third went to Augusto Poropat and Giacomo Grosselli (ITA 1209 – Fraglia Vela Riva).

Daniele Poli and Michele Monzini (ITA 4) triumph in the 29erXX Class, thanks to two first placed finishes on the final day. Second went to Germany’s Phillip Mueller and Moritz Janich (GER 51) with British sailors David Hall and Nicola Smith (GBR 777) third.

The closing ceremony and prize giving were held at 1pm at Fraglia Vela Riva’s outdoor terrace with breathtaking panoramic views of Lake Garda. Main sponsor of the 2009 29er Eurocup event are Trentino SpA and Seiko.

Overall Results: