Star European Championships in Sanremo concludes

by Elena Giolai on 30 Oct 2017 Day 3 – Torben Grael takes over the Star European and the Italian crew Negri-Lambertenghi is competing for the podium on the last day of racing.

The Fantastic weather conditions at Sanremo brings up a true show of remarkable sailing: on the last day of racing are sailing for the podium the fabulous Torben Grael, Diaz the US world champion, the Italian Diego Negri and the great champion Lars Grael.

Could not be a better debut for TOIO together with the “Stars” of sailing worlds and the partners of YC Sanremo Royal Hotel, Gruppo Cozzi Parodi and Abate Gioielli.

On Thursday, at the Yacht Club Sanremo, started the Star European Championships (former Olympic class), the event will end on Sunday for a total of seven trials max. The Yacht Club Sanremo is a true parade of some of the best sailors in the world, many of them Olympic’s athlete.

There are 56 registered crews from 16 countries including Brazil, the United States, Croatia, Denmark, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Sweden, Russia, Ukraine, as well as the nearest Holland, Poland, Switzerland, Monaco and of course Italy.

Among the participants are Star Class legends who have won during their career world championships and Olympic’ medals, such as: Torben Grael (World Sailing Vice President - five Olympic medals, one Louis Vuitton Cup victory with Luna Rossa, one World Cup victory in 2009), Lars Grael (two Olympic medals), World Champion Star Augie Diaz with Bruno Prada, Italian Diego Negri (European Champion) and Roberto Benamati (World Champion).

Among the great names that have made the history of sailing, debut 'Toio' a new brand within the sportswear and nautical clothing, with thirty-year experience in the field; Toio joined the organization team behind the event of the Star European which is offering an amazing show, thanks also of the enviable weather condition with sunshine and medium-strong wind.

Toio share the same philosophy with the Star class and the Yacht Club Sanremo, where great experience and knowledge make the difference in a sailing world that - while innovating with new technological and engineering ideas - maintains and even exalts technicality, quality and style.

One day from the end, the crews had five races in optimum conditions: only today there was variable and light wind, but with the fifth race and worst score was excluded, the great Torben Grael with Arthur Lopes on the bow is headed (19-3-2-4-1), with only 1point advantage over the US Diaz-Prada (2-1-7-6-2).

The Italian Diego Negri holder of the yacht club of Sanremo, with Sergio Lambertenghi in the bow (Circolo Vela Torbole), with the fifth of today remaining third in the current provisional classification (15-7-3-1-5), but in parity of score with the other great Brasilian champion Lars Grael (14-5-6-2-3).

The podium is not secure yet, all can change on the last day of racing.

Final Day

Negri-Lambertenghi touched the victory at the European Star Championships: despite the first in the final test they finish second with two points from Torben Grael, who wins the Open Championship.

At the Yacht Club Sanremo the great entertaining Star European Championship is over, with the great names of the sailing world, which once again demonstrated the charm of the former Olympic Star Class.

Podium played with the last and decisive regatta, at list for the first four crews (three points).

Great silver for Italy with Diego Negri (Yacht Club Sanremo) and Sergio Lambertenghi (Circle Sail Torbole), who ended the Star European Championship in the best way possible: they won the sixth and last regatta started in light wind conditions on six knots, which then increased to 15.

'It was a great way to finish the Championship - commented the helmsman Diego Negri - unfortunately regattas are won or lost in different races, which ultimately decide on the final result, the very first test I ended 15th, is the one that has compromised me a bit throughout the championship: it was given the start in unstable wind conditions and from there all went wrong. From the second race onwards I had to be as conservative as possible, because knowing the area I know that in a moment the wind can change direction, risking to stay behind. In these races all competitors are very strong, no one makes mistakes and it is not easy to recover, indeed, impossible. We are now preparing for the final of the Star Sailors League in Nassau and we look to give the best in a class that is always very competitive, 'concluded Negri.

Brazilian crew Grael-Lopes - fifth in the sixth and final race - managed to remain in the lead of the overall standings, winning the Championship (open) with two points advantage over Negri-Lambertenghi; third the former world champions Augie Diaz-Bruno Prada (USA), disqualified from the last test, but remained on the podium, despite the same score with other Brazilians Lars Grael-Samuel Goncalves, second in the final test but with no partial victory over the United States.

Also the other Italians entered the top ten of 56 registered crew: seventh place for former world champion Roberto Benamati (Fraglia Vela Malcesine) with a bow Steffen Rutz, Ottavi Giampiero Poggi-Manlio Corsi (Av Bracciano) and Noni Nando and Federico Colaninno (YC Gaeta).

The Yacht Club Sanremo thanks the Municipality of Sanremo and the Region of Liguria, which together with Royal Hotel partners, Gruppo Cozzi Parodi, Abate Gioielli and TOIO, the new brand of sportswear and nautical clothing, was able to guarantee a very high level event with the participation of prestigious Olympic sailing medallist, and European and World sailing champions, which have enriched a successful Championship: a great occasion to celebrate the 70 years of the Sanremo Yacht Club together with who made the history of sailing.