RS500 Worlds and RS200/400 Eurocup at Fraglia Vela Riva - Day 1
by Elena Giolai 24 Jul 2012 08:13 BST
23-27 July 2012
It's the start of another week of RS skiffs at Fraglia Vela Riva, this time with the World RS 500 (double) Championships and a leg of the Eurocup RS 200 and RS 400. Although there is a predominantly British participation, there is also an important presence for the World Championships from The Netherlands, Sweden and Italy. There are about 100 boats in total.
Two races were held on this, the opening day of the event on Trentino Garda with a very light northerly wind and one light-medium wind coming from the south at about 10-12 knots. But it was without a doubt a day to remember for the Dutch crew of the RS500 with Michiel Geerling at the helm. With the first hoist of the gennker he proposed marriage to his fellow crew-member Hilde Van Sasante. As they turned at the buoy, you could read in Dutch “will you marry me?” on the open sail. Then came the inevitable kiss and the presentatioin of the ring (all this during the race). What a wonderful moment for this young Dutch couple.
RS500
Thirty-six boats were present at the starting gate and, for the moment, the British crew of Wilkins-Martin, World Champions in 2010, are in the lead with a fifth and a partial first. Two points behind with a first and a partial sixth, is the Dutch crew of Hitermann-Blom. In third place are Americans Howe- Heemskerk with a second and a seventh. First of the Italians are Maccari-Gommellini lying in sixth place (10-4).
RS500 Results can be found here
RS200
Two races were also completed in the RS 200 class which competes on the same regatta course as the RS400 (but with a separate starting line), and which also runs parallel to the RS500. The crews are exclusively British and in the lead is Freeman-Tomsett with a first and a third. Two points behind in second place are Richard and Paru Edwards with a fifth and a win in the second regatta. Giles-Clark are third two points behind.
RS200 Results can be found here
RS400
In the RS400 class, the crews of George-Mitchell (3-1) and Stewart and Sarah Robertson are tied on points. In third place with a sixth and second is Downer-Price.
RS400 Results can be found here
More photos can be found here.