Armin Strom faces familiar waters at the round 2 of GC32 Racing Tour

by Armin Strom Sailing Team on 6 Jul 2016 High speed racing in foiling catamarans kicks off tomorrow at the Malcesine Cup, the second event on the GC32 Racing Tour 2016.

Sailing on the eastern shore of Lake Garda in Italy holds special meaning for Armin Strom Sailing Team skipper Flavio Marazzi who has previously tasted success on the very same waters.

Malcesine is where the former Star Class Olympian secured the European Championship in 2007 and subsequently took 14th in the 2014 Star Worlds, sailing with his wife Anouk.

“I’m aiming to create more good memories at this event, and to build on our third place at the previous event in Riva. We’ve had some great training sessions this week and I’m confident in our crew,” Marazzi says.

Armin Strom’s race crew combination, including team manager Sharon Ferris-Choat and two-time Olympian Andrew Murdoch, have been using their training sessions this week to gel properly, as well as familiarize themselves with the local prevailing conditions and wind patterns.

Despite being located on the same lake (Garda), racing in Malcesine will present a stark contrast to the strong winds and cold of Riva six weeks ago.

“The thermal winds from the south create very tricky breeze patterns in this part of the lake. We’re expecting between 8-15 knots, and tactics and decision-making will be really challenging. Unlike Riva, this is a venue where someone can have a poor start and still do well,” he says.

Armin Strom will be up against a fleet of nine other GC32s including two teams new to the circuit, Naofumi Kamei’s Mamma Aiuto! and Jérôme Clerc’s Realteam.

As both a competitor and the class president Flavio is pleased to see the Tour growing in popularity and attracting new teams.

“It’s exciting to see the class is evolving with more teams getting involved. As a class, one of our ambitions is to develop events outside of Europe. In this regard, the addition of the Japanese team is a real plus.” he says.

The GC32s will be joining a variety of other foiling classes including Moths and custom one-offs at Malcesine this week as the GC32 Racing Tour merges into the international spectacle of The Foiling Week.

Teams competing at the GC32 Malcesine Cup at Foiling Week
1. Norauto (FRA) – Franck Cammas
2. Team Tilt (SUI) – Sébastien Schneiter
3. Armin Strom (SUI) – Flavio Marazzi
4. Gunvor Sailing (SWE) – Gustav Petterson
5. Team Engie (FRA) – Sébastien Rogues
6. Argo (USA) – Jason Carroll
7. Malizia (MON) – Pierre Casiraghi
8. Orange Racing (NED) – Laurent Lenne
9. Mamma Aiuto! (JPN) – Naofumi Kamei
10. Realteam (SUI) – Jérôme Clerc