Fine second for Joshua Schopfer & Arnaud Machado in the Italian classic Roma Per Due
by Alexia Blanc 23 Apr 2024 07:14 BST
Joshua Schopfer and Arnaud Machado finish second in the Roma Per Due © G. Di Fazio
Teaming up with Arnaud Machado, Joshua Schopfer finished second in the Roma Per Due regatta. He also finished second in last month's Arcipelago Regatta alongside Giovanni Bignardi, making a fine debut in the Mini class.
Geneva-based sailor Joshua Schopfer, who is preparing for the Mini Transat 2025, has had a successful debut in the Mini class with two second places in his first two races: the Arcipelago Regatta a month ago and the Italian classic Roma Per Due last week.
"These two double-handed regattas enabled me to get to grips with my boat, and to make rapid progress thanks to the experience of my two team-mates, Giovanni Bignardi for the Arcipelago Regatta and Arnaud Machado for Roma per Due, whom I would like to thank sincerely for their contribution."
Between these two races, Joshua also completed his compulsory 1000-mile qualifier between Rome, Menorca and back, often in rough conditions. On Wednesday, he will take part in his first solo race: the 490-mile Roma Barcelona Solo, before competing in the 700-mile Solo Med between Barcelona and Mallorca the following week.
"It's a very intense start, but one that suits me well," says Joshua, "I know that if you want to race at a good level, there's only one solution: to sail as many miles as possible. Over the last few weeks, I've learnt a lot about my boat, the weather, electricity and a thousand other things, and above all about myself. I'm progressing really quickly!"
More information at joshua-schopfer.com