Please select your home edition
Edition
Crewsaver 2021 Safetyline LEADERBOARD

Windy conclusion to the 2019 ORC European Sportboat Championship

by ORC Media 2 Sep 2019 17:11 BST 24-30 August 2019
Division A racing along the scenic and historic Piran waterfront - 2019 ORC European Sportboat Championship © Jana Pines / YCMP

The 2019 ORC Sportboat Championship ended in victory for Sergio Caramel's Melges 24 Arkanoe' by Montura in Division A and Ugo Guanieri's Delta 84 Chardonnay in Division B.

The event was held from August 24 to August 30 and saw 29 teams from eight nations race in six inshore races and one coastal race for the Championship, which was organized by the Yacht Club Marina Portoroz in collaboration with Jadralni klub Ljubljana, the Offshore Racing Congress (ORC) and with the support of Marina Portoroz.

After four days of light winds, conditions took on a different turn for the last day of the event. The much-anticipated northeasterly wind called "burja" came in on time and blew with 8-15 knots for the majority of the day, allowing the race committee to complete the full program.

On the last day of racing Race Six started at 11 o'clock under a cloudy sky and half of the fleet headed left towards the open sea while the other half avoided big and choppy waves by sailing right, behind the peninsula of Piran in a slightly flatter sea. Piero Re Fraschini's Ultimate 30 Bandalarga went hard right and immediately took the lead. After rounding the top mark they stretched their distance from the rest of the fleet, finishing well ahead of the others. In Division B the same game plan also worked for Chardonnay, coming through with another smooth victory.

While the final race of the Championship took place in a softer breeze, there was still a tough fight for the remaining places on the podium. In Division A Arkanoe' by Montura went into the last race with only a one point advantage over Milan Kolacek's Esse 850 Bohemia Praha and two over Bandalarga while in Division B the remaining two places behind Chardonnay were in contention between Gianni de Visintini's Ufo OD Cattivik in second in the standings after six races and Beniamino Zermini's SB 20 OD Eavle in third.

Ultimately, the double bullets notched up by Bandalarga were not enough to steal the crown from Arkanoe by Montura, who finished second and claimed their first ever title of Division A European ORC Sportboat champions with a single point lead. Being all-amateur sailors, they also won the Corinthian prize for this division as well. A stellar day from skipper Flavio Favini moved Bandalarga up to second place with Bohemia Praha completing the podium on third.

In Division B Chardonnay added two more bullets to their perfect score to remain undefeated as the new Class B European ORC Sportboat champions. Eavle finished second in the last race and picked up silver as well as the Corinthian prize, leaving Cattivik losing the tie-break to finish third.

Find results and ratings here.

The event website has more information, see orcsportboats2019.ycmp.eu.

Related Articles

AEGEAN 600 Attica Warm-Up Race
5th edition sets sail with strong winds and signature Greek hospitality Under perfect sunny skies and brisk northerly winds, the 5th edition of the annual AEGEAN 600 kicked off with a flawless start both on and off the water. Posted on 4 Jul
Varadero Valencia sponsors 26th SM La Reina Trophy
The flagship race at the Real Club Náutico de Valencia Varadero Valencia underlines its commitment to yachting by sponsoring, as in other years, the SM La Reina Trophy regatta and the ORC1 class. Posted on 3 Jul
Four days to start the 5th AEGEAN 600
The fleet has a wide range of sizes and types represented Nearly all 60 teams are assembled here at the Olympic Marine venue getting ready for the start of the 5th edition of the AEGEAN 600, organized by the Hellenic Offshore Race Club (HORC) with co-organizers being Olympic Marine and Region of Attica. Posted on 2 Jul
Some thoughts on provisioning for distance sailing
A new perspective on provisioning and time spent at sea One of the great joys of distance racing unfurls the moment that the dock lines are untied. Suddenly, the myriad packing lists that inevitably define most trip-planning efforts become about as relevant as a tax return from eight years ago. Posted on 1 Jul
Mirpuri Foundation Sailing Trophy 2025 Preview
International sailing & ocean conservation unite in Cascais From July 4 to 6, Cascais hosts the biggest sailing regatta of the year with a strong focus on sustainability. The Mirpuri Foundation Sailing Trophy celebrates six years of diversity, competition, and environmental commitment. Posted on 30 Jun
From ORC to DH: The XR 41 Delivers Again
All eyes were on the new XR 41 during the Maior Regatta in Kiel All eyes were on the new XR 41 during the Maior Regatta in Kiel, where she convincingly won under ORC. The boat has proven her versatility by taking on Denmark's Fyn Cup — and winning again. Posted on 29 Jun
First-ever ORC North American champions crowned
Fox, Zammermoos and Teamwork win at Block Island Race Week 2025 After completing the full schedule of races - 9 in the ORC 1 class and 10 in the ORC 2 and 3 classes - three new ORC North American Champion teams have been crowned on Friday at the Storm Trysail Club's 31st biennial Block Island Race Week. Posted on 28 Jun
31st Block Island Race Week Day 5
IHG Hotels and Resorts Race Day concludes the event Block Island Race Week's final tent party was abuzz with anticipation and excitement Friday evening, as sailors and spectators awaited the announcement of cumulative awards for the regatta's 60th anniversary. Posted on 27 Jun
31st Block Island Race Week Day 4
Round The Island Race on Mount Gay Rum Race Day Mount Gay Rum Race Day featured everyone's favorite race of Block Island Race Week: the Regatta Craft Mixers Round The Island Race. The breaking of the recent heatwave made for a fast and furious counter-clockwise lap. Posted on 26 Jun
Tight racing at ORC North American Championship
Two days of racing remain before titles awarded in three classes With three days of racing completed over 7 Windward-Leeward courses, the scorelines are filling up for all three classes competing in the first ORC North American Championship at Storm Trysail Club's Block Island Race Week. Posted on 26 Jun