Italian RS Aero National Regatta series at Limone Garda Sailing ASD - Day 2
by Elena Giolai 8 Apr 18:07 BST
7-9 April 2023
After the first event of the 2023 season with the 'National Regatta' series visiting Ostia, the RS Aero class moved for the Easter holidays to northern Italy, to Garda Lombardy, in Limone, for the second event of the series.
Friday 7 April saw three races held in medium-light winds and temperatures that were anything but spring-like, continuing into Saturday in more clement weather. The shy sunshine made the four races held much more pleasant, with the FIV Race Committee quickly giving the starts in succession. Limone's historic town centre, already crowded with tourists, provided the backdrop for the RS Aero fleet, which also sailed close to the coast.
The regatta, organised by Limone Garda Sailing, had massive participation from Sardinia and Lazio, regions where this single-handed dinghy has found several clubs that have embraced the philosophy of the RS Aero class, which proposes an alternative to the Olympic ILCA/Laser. So even youngsters who cannot make a daily training commitment, as must be the case with the Olympic classes, can enjoy themselves by continuing with racing and sailing.
Mid-way through the event, and young Sardinians are the leaders of the provisional rankings: Franscesca Ramazzotti (Veliamoci as, Oristano) leads the RS Aero 5 class.
Only one point separates the top seven in the RS Aero 6 class: Leonardo Nonnis (LNI Sulcis) is leading, followed by the Irishman Roy Van Maanen, Alice Sussarello is next, and just one point behind them are three tied with Andrea De Matteis (YC Cala dei Sardi), Francesco Columbano (YC Cala dei Sardi) and Giacomo Gatta (CN Savio) all tied and all in with a chance of reaching the podium.
In the RS Aero 7 (with larger sail) Filippo Vincis (LNI Sulcis) has a 5 point lead over the "International & UK Class Association Manager" Peter Barton (Great Britain), who could be joined by Davide Mulas, penalised by an early start.
Easter Sunday, starting after 8:30 a.m., with the aim of finding north wind, a morning wind characteristic of Lake Garda, is the final day.
See full results