Holt and Smit take 2019 505 Euro Cup Riva Del Garda title
by Michael Quirk 5 Jun 2019 05:53 BST
30 May - 1 June 2019
2019 505 Euro Cup Round 2 - Riva Del Garda © Maren Roos
The team of Mike Holt (USA) and Carl Smit (USA) have won the 2019 505 Euro Cup Riva del Garda, the second leg of the Euro Cup series.
Sailed at Fraglia della Vela Riva, the regatta came down to the last leg of the last race in a duel between HOLT/SMIT (USA) & HIGGINS/JOHNSON (AUS).
Lake Garda lived up to its reputation and delivered a fantastic event, great breeze, stunning scenery, food and racing. "No wonder people keep coming back" said winning helm Mike Holt
In what has become one of the highlights on the annual 505 calendar, the Euro Cup is a four-event series that takes place across France, Italy, Germany and the UK. There is a winner determined at each event as well as an overall series winner based on cumulative scores from three of the four regattas.
"I cant believe I have never done this before" said competitor Jeff Robinson, one of many Australians who flew in from Australia to compete. " The availability of a borrowed boat is what really made this possible for many of us who have come from outside Europe. Were else would you get the opportunity to race such a great boat in such a great location against some of the best sailors in the world? I will definitely be back"
Overall Results: (top five)
1st Mike Holt and Carl Smit (USA)
2nd Malcolm Higgins and Nick Johnson (AUS)
3rd Bob Tennant and Steve Bourdon (CAN)
4th Ian Pinnell and Tim Needham (GBR)
5th Penny and Russ Clark (GBR)
Fifth placed competitor Russ Clark sailing with Olympian wife Penny commented "We are delighted with our performance. The racing was so close. Only two points separated third to fifth. We had the opportunity to get the use of an association boat and go to the last World Championship in Australia. Now we have our own boat and loving competing in the 5o5 at these great venues.
This coming weekend 7th to 9th June the 5o5 Class is holding an exhibition event in Barcelona, Spain. The first ever 5o5 Regatta in Spain.
For Euro Cup Cannes full results, please visit the event page