Optimist Trophy Kinder Joy of Moving - Sardinia Challenge 2025
by Sardinia Challenge 2025 3 Jun 2025 17:41 BST
Optimist Trophy Kinder Joy of Moving - Sardinia Challenge 2025 © Sardinia Challenge 2025
The third leg of the Optimist Trophy - Kinder Joy of Moving concluded in Villasimius under brilliant sunshine, but the final day of racing was cancelled due to a lack of wind.
Despite the long wait onshore, young sailors made the most of the day with beach volleyball, football, and kids' games around the Marina.
The event, which saw Optimist Class athletes divided into Gold, Silver, and Cadet fleets, celebrated Giancarlo Postiglione (YC Italiano) as the overall winner of Division A. He was followed by Matteo Adducci (Gdv LNI Mandello del Lario) and Giorgio Nibbi (CN Sambenedettese). Mia Paoletti (Club Vela Civitanova) was the top-ranking girl, finishing among the top ten overall. Filippo Narducci (LNI Ostia) secured fifth place, while Matteo Faraoni (CV Bari) was the best performer born in 2014.
The Division A female podium was completed by:
- 1st - Mia Paoletti (CV Portocivitanova)
- 2nd - Emma Pirozzi (LNI Ostia)
- 3rd - Elena Guidi (CV Sferracavallo)
Additional top finishers: Arianna Anelli (CV 3V), Carol Veneri (CV Bari).
In Division B, Matteo D'Addabbo (CV Bari) took first place, ahead of Giorgio Paonessa
(CV Crotone ASD) and Kilian Breda (Club Vela Portocivitanova). Among the girls, the
podium was:
- 1st - Laura Bonomo (Circolo Canottieri Roggero di Lauria)
- 2nd - Vittoria Pagani (CV Torbole)
- 3rd - Cecilia Cormelati (Marvelia)
Top athlete born in 2016: Maurizio Domenici (LNI Anzio).
"I didn't expect to win and I'm absolutely thrilled. It's the first time I've topped the rankings in a Kinder Trophy stage," said an excited Giancarlo Postiglione. "These past two days have been full of incredible emotions. Villasimius proved once again to be an amazing venue, just like last year. We managed to complete six great races, and I really had to pay attention to the current shifts, especially near the coast where I made my key overtakes."
The Sardinia Challenge WingFoil Trophy - Italian Grand Prix Cup athletes also spent the day waiting for wind, which never arrived. Among the notable participants was Lorenzo Sirena (YC Cagliari), 2024 Nacra 15 World Champion and son of renowned skipper Max Sirena.
"We're really lucky to be here in Villasimius, one of the most beautiful spots in Sardinia," said Sirena. "It's fantastic to share the space with the Optimist sailors—they get a glimpse into what comes next after the Optimist class: the world of foiling, which is taking over the sport. Sardinia Challenge is becoming one of the most exciting platforms on both national and international levels."
Mirco Babini, President of the Organizing Committee, added: "Sardinia Challenge represents something important. Villasimius is now fully recognized as an international sailing destination. It all started here in 2017, thanks to the vision and support of the Italian Naval League, the Marina Director, the Mayor and local authorities. Beyond the competition, the event highlights sustainability and ocean preservation."
Amedeo Ferrigno, Director of the Marina of Villasimius and President of the Yacht Club
Villasimius, emphasized: "This event reaffirms that investing in young sailors is the right path. We're proud to be part of their journey as they grow into lifelong sailors."
Sergio Ghiani, President of the Villasimius branch of the Italian Naval League, added: "Villasimius is more committed than ever to positioning itself on the international sailing map, promoting our region as a haven for sea lovers, athletes, and fans of Mediterranean beauty."
This year's Sardinia Challenge brought a host of meaningful experiences for the children participating in the third leg of the Optimist Kinder Joy of Moving Trophy. Highlights included a session with ocean sailor Giancarlo Pedote, the release of a rescued Caretta Caretta sea turtle named Kinder Nad, and environmental education workshops led by experts from CEAS Villasimius and the Marine Protected Area of Capo Carbonara.
The Sardinia Challenge is organized by the Italian Naval League (Villasimius Division), the Yacht Club Villasimius, and the Marina di Villasimius, in collaboration with the Italian Sailing Federation and with the support of Optimist Class Italy and the Ferrero Group through the Kinder Joy of Moving project.
The event is proudly sponsored by the Municipality of Villasimius and the Marine Protected Area of Capo Carbonara, and forms part of the tourism events promoted by the Sardinia Regional Department of Tourism.