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European Team Race Youth RS Aero Championships in Cagliari - Day 1

by Elena Giolai 25 Oct 20:05 BST 25-27 October 2024

The first day of the European RS Aero Youth Team Race Championships in Cagliari opened with 37 matches completed out of the 66 scheduled for the round robin.

The southerly wind, with gusts that exceeded 15 knots, contributed to making each race intensely competitive and full of emotions: several scuffles shuffled the positions in the race, constantly reopening the games.

Twelve teams, each consisting of a girl and a boy, competed today, representing Argentina, Ireland, Germany, Ukraine, Estonia, Great Britain (with two teams), Belgium, Lithuania (with two teams), Italy 1 with Chiara Sussarello and Francesco Columbano and Italy 2 with Alice Sussarello and Filippo Vincis.

The team formula, particularly exciting for the under-25s in this 'Youth' championship, thrilled the racers. On the water, in addition to the Race Committee involved in the starts and finishes, there were also the referees, who assessed and resolved any protests during the matches in real time, issuing the verdict with a green or red flag in the event of a penalty.

After this first day, the Ukrainian team, consisting of Yelyzaveta Vynnohradova and Bohdan Rukhlin, dominates the ranking with 100% wins (6 out of 6 matches won). Lithuania 2 follows, with Marius Antanavicius and Ruta Mazunaviciute, who, with 83% of victories, is second. Having beaten Italy 2, with Sardinians and Lega Navale del Sulcis' team members Alice Sussarello and Filippo Vincis, in a head-to-head match, it is in second place despite being tied with Italy, which is nevertheless in a solid third position (5 out of 6 victories). Italia 1 on the other hand, with Chiara Sussarello (LNI Sulcis) and Francesco Columbano (NOX Oceani Porto Rotondo), ended the day with 3 wins out of 6.

The regattas were preceded by the presentation of the teams and a welcome from the local and sporting authorities at the Società Canottieri Ichnusa, in Cagliari. Sardinian Councillor for Tourism, Trade and Crafts Sara Olla, the President of the Federazione Italiana Vela Terza Zona Sardegna Corrado Fara, and the Vice President of the Società Canottieri Ichnusa, Sergio Lai, the 'host' for the event, welcomed the athletes, coaches and companions, emphasising the importance of sailing in Sardinia.

The competition continues on Saturday, 26 October with the subsequent matches, with the teams based at the Società Canottieri Ichnusa, organiser of the event together with the Lega Navale del Sulcis. It is hoped that favourable weather conditions will guarantee the event the same brisk pace and success of the first day.