D-One Garda Double at Fraglia Vela Riva - Part 1

The D-One Garda Double 2013 © Elena Giolai

19 boats arrived for Friday's training and long distance race.

We worked our way upwind in a series of short practice starts and windward legs.

The long distance race: - 3 miles downwind to finish.

Gorringe and Caruso headed to the wall in more breeze. Craig led the rest of the fleet into the middle of the lake. As the fleet blasted down the lake the wind started to ease and shift resulting loads of place changing. The last 500m the wind died with Chipperfield leading the pack on the left hand side and Gorringe leading the group on the right hand side. A tense 5 minutes followed as we waited for wind to fill in. Chipperfield had selected the correct side and glided toward the finish only to be overhauled by Mennuti to lose by 6 inches on the line. Craig claimed a well earned 3rd.

The prize giving buffet and review of training video was hosted in the Hotel Santioni Torbole. Later, after the compulsory pizza for the GBR contingent Riva town had laid on different bands in all the main squares so we watched the Beetles for a while then found Giorgio Moroder and his new act pumping out disco classics. Hammond voted to camp close to the beer tent within view of the dancing.

The main event in the Italian circuit was scheduled to be 3 points races followed by a non discardable double points medal race to finish. Saturday first race was classic Garda bright sunshine and 20kts. Craig and Italian Champion Portremoli led the fleet in a fierce battle. Craig finally getting the upper hand when Portremoli capsized on the final gybe. Cloud started to build over the spectacular mountain scenery which signaled the end of the strong breeze.

The second race started 12 knots. The smart money got onto port early to get the last of the breeze on the wall. As the wind started shifting it was a game of snakes and ladders in the mid fleet. Craig showed his skill to draw out a comfortable lead.

Ashore the club lay on its legendary post race pasta.

From prime seats in the Yachting Bar Porto we had great view of the madcap wake boarding display, around the town loads of street entertainers were doing bizarre stuff and evening ended with beers in the Pub d`Oca.

In order to allow an early departure for competitors to avoid the famous Sunday afternoon traffic jam around the lake. The first race on Sunday started at 08.30 in 8kts. The shifting Northerly wind found boats hunting for pressure.

Novi managed to sail from last to 3rd on private gust. Mennuti piped Craig in the dying breeze. With northerly dying and no good indications Ora to start we were towed back to Fraglia to wait for any wind.

When no change of wind by 1300 medal race was abandoned leaving Craig the overall winner.

A big thank you to the Italian D one fleet for making all visitors welcome. Also our thanks to the host club Fraglia del Riva for running a great event.

The excitement is building for the D-One Europeans in Campione next week.

The GBR D-One Association is supported by Sandiline, Harken, North Sails & Noble Marine.