ISAF Sailing World Cup Final - Italian 49erFX duo ready for action

by ISAF on 25 Nov 2014 Italy's Giulia Conti and Francesca Clapcich have been one of the leading teams in the Women's Skiff, the 49erFX, and head to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates ready for the ISAF Sailing World Cup Final.

The pair took bronze at the 2014 ISAF Sailing World Championships in September and are looking forward to engaging in fast paced, close knit racing against the world's best in Abu Dhabi, 'It is always great to sail with the best sailors,' commented Conti, 'Especially in this event where there will only be a few boats.

'We know it is going to be a huge event, which will become bigger and bigger in the next few years. As I said before, we are really excited about it. It's something new that could bring Olympic sailing to a higher stop in visibility.'

Abu Dhabi is a new venue for many of the Olympic aspirants. The tidal conditions, wind patterns, venue and the city as a whole is fresh venture and Conti is enthusiastic about racing in Abu Dhabi, 'We have never been there, and, of course, we are really excited to get there and see what it looks like. We always read what Pippa Wilson [Beijing 2008 gold medallist and part of the organising authority] is writing about the place. She keeps us informed about the venue development.'

After taking a hard earned bronze at the ISAF Worlds in September the Italians took a short break focusing on themselves, their partnership and the 49erFX, 'After the Worlds we trained for two weeks at close, close to Rome, by ourselves to get back the feeling with the boat.

'We haven't done much training so far so we will try to get the feeling with the boat as fast as we can and improve day by day in Abu Dhabi.'

Conti and Clapcich will have an eye on the podium come race day one on 27 November with three races scheduled for the 49erFX fleet. Three races per day will follow on 28 and 29 November before the top ten competitor’s battle it out in the Medal Race on Sunday 30 November for a share of the $200,000USD prize fund and ISAF Sailing World Cup ISAF Sailing World Cup website