iQFoil International Games #4 at Circolo Surf Torbole - Day 2
by Elena Giolai 22 Sep 2022 22:45 BST
More strong wind at Torbole, on Garda Trentino, on the second day of the iQFoil International Games organised at the Circolo Surf Torbole with the Italian Sailing Federation, the Garda Trentino Sailing Consortium and the International Class.
Winds of 18-20 knots had been blowing since 13:00, the scheduled starting time for the races; such was the intensity of the wind that the FIV Race Committee once again opted to hold course races. In fact, five more were completed, without being able to continue with the scheduled slaloms due to the wind being too strong.
Of note was the large participation of the Chinese team, making its iQfoil Olympic class debut after the pandemic. China in fact chose Lake Garda and the Circolo Surf Torbole in particular to return to international regattas, training and participating in this stage of the iQFoil International Games, which will end on Sunday 25 September.
Among the Chinese present are both the women's Tokyo Olympic gold medallist Yunxiu Lu, and the men's Olympic bronze medallist Kun Bi, who after their experience on the RS:X are now competing on the new iQFoil Olympic.
After ten course races and two discards among the men, the Italian Daniele Benedetti (Fiamme Gialle, 1-2-3-4-2) still leads, eleven points ahead of the Australian Grae Morris and even 24 ahead of the Thai Will Mac Mallin. Well for the local and Circolo Surf Torbole holder Jacopo Renna, who finished fourth, followed just two points behind his team mate Manolo Modena, third under 21, third overall in regatta 7.
Sixth was the Chinese Olympic bronze medallist Kun Bi. Top day among the women for the Czech Barbora Svikova, who after a sixth placed four consecutive victories of the day, thus taking the lead ahead of the German ALisa Engelmann who finished second.
Chinese Huang was third, while Tokyo gold medallist Lu is currently twelfth. On Friday, the marathon race is scheduled to start at 13:00; afterwards, if wind conditions permit, the slalom discipline heats will continue.