Windsurfing/IFCA Slalom Junior, Youth and Masters European Championships at Circolo Surf Torbole
by Elena Giolai 23 Sep 18:37 BST
21-24 September 2023
On Garda Trentino, after the rain of the first two days, on Saturday - somewhat surprisingly - the sun returned and, above all, the wind, which finally allowed the almost 100 youngsters from 12 nations, who had arrived at Circolo Surf Torbole to compete for the European titles in the Youth, Junior and Master categories for the Foil Slalom and Fin Slalom disciplines, to be seen racing.
Starting at 8:00 a.m., for the slalom foil discipline, the heats of the Youth (U21), Junior (U17), Women's Junior and Master (over 40) categories followed one after the other, who were able to race until 11:15 a.m., when the wind from the north, which blew at 10-14 knots, began to drop. Two boards were completed for the youths and three for the remaining categories.
Starting at 8:00 a.m., for the slalom foil discipline, the heats for the Youth (U21), Junior (U17), Junior Women's and Master (over 40) categories followed one after the other. They were able to race until 11:15 a.m., when the wind from the north, which blew at 10-14 knots, began to drop. Two boards were completed for the youths and three for the remaining categories.
Once everyone had returned to Circolo Surf Torbole by decision of the Race Committee of the Italian Sailing Federation, which, together with the International Funboard Class Association (IFCA), decides on the smooth running of the races, a decent "hour" arrived at 3pm and so it was off again with a new heat, again slalom foil youth category, with the wind from the south arriving at 8-12 knots.
Subsequently the races were interrupted due to a drop in wind, at the time when the C Youth finals were due to start, while the other categories were also able to run at least one race. All in all, a positive day that fortunately contradicted the weather forecast.
Turkish dominance in the junior category with Tan Tandogan and Elif Ercan leading the men's and women's divisions. Second junior was the Frenchman Huault, third the Turk Dönmez. As for the Italians, an excellent provisional fourth place for Matteo Della Fiorentina, followed in fifth by Federico Calcaterra. Among the junior girls, second and third provisional place went to the French Philip and Sermet. First Italian Martina Focante, ninth overall.
Dane Vinther leads among the youths, followed by Circolo Surf Torbole's Jacopo Gavioli, third the French Armand Genevoy. First female youth Caterina Biagiolini. Among the masters, first was German Markus Steiner, now at home in Torbole.
Sunday start again in the morning, to take advantage of the northerly wind, which today allowed very good racing.
Video Opening ceremony:
Video DAY 1 - no wind no race: