Women's Snipe World Championship at Valencia Mar - Mid-Event Update
by Ángel Ferrer Belenguer 6 Oct 2023 20:05 BST
3-8 October 2023
Women's Snipe World Championship at Valencia Mar © G.Baixauli
Bruna Patricio and Juliana Duque lead at the midway point
The Brazilian sailors have proven to be the most solid on the racecourse and approach the end of the competition as favorites.
After the completion of the first four races of the Women's Snipe World Championship held in Valencia Mar, Bruna Patricio and Juliana Duque are among the favorites to win the title. Both sailors have had a perfect start to the competition with three victories and a second place in the four races, placing them at the top of the standings.
The second day of the Women's Snipe World Championship in Valencia Mar has been marked by excellent wind conditions. The day started with a 6-knot breeze, gradually increasing to 10-12 knots, making today's races spectacular. The Brazilian team of Juliana Duque and Bruna Patricio has dominated all races with a first and a second place, solidifying their lead in the overall standings. In second place are the Lithuanians Gintare Scheidt and Maj Hansen Borgen, who achieved a third and a first place today, followed closely by the American crew of Kathleen Tocke and Arianna Buzetti, rounding out the podium. The first Spanish crew, consisting of Marta Torner and Marina Sánchez, is closely behind.
There are still two days and four races to crown the next Women's Snipe World Champion, which will be decided on Sunday, revealing whether the Brazilian crew maintains its dominance. The first Valencian pair, Rosa Foruria and Olympic gold medalist Ángela Pumariega, currently sits in seventh place.
For the first time and until Sunday, this world championship is being held in Valencia's waters. The event, co-organized by Valencia Mar and T10 Sailing Club, features a total of 43 boats from various countries. Athletes from Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, the United States, Chile, Finland, Japan, France, Great Britain, Lithuania, Portugal, and Spain will compete in Valencia for the world title.
The Snipe is a lightweight sailing boat for two crew members, known for its maneuverability in light winds, suitable for all ages, and is an inherently tactical class. Designed in 1931, the Snipe has become one of the most popular lightweight sailing boats and a backbone of competitive sailing. The first World Championship was held in 1946, and the first Women's World Championship in 1994 in Yokohama, Japan.
Valencia Mar, the city's private marina, is located just a few meters from the beach and only 10 minutes from the center of Valencia. Currently, it has full occupancy of its berths and a waiting list of over 100 boats.
Among its services, the marina also offers covered parking, electricity up to 1000 amps, Wi-Fi, cable internet, waste collection, marina services seven days a week, laundry, artificial beach, bars, and shops, making it a trendy space available to the city of Valencia.