Torbole 293 Garda Trentino World Championship – Day 1

by Elena Giolai on 25 Oct 2016 The Italian team is shining during the first day of the Techno 293 World Championships in Torbole: Golden start for Giorgia Speciale and Nicoló Renna.

Unfortunately the Italian weather didn't show its best side and the first day has been accompanied by clouds and rain showers.

However the weather didn't ruin the amazing ambiance of this world championship Techno 293 organized by the Circolo Surf Torbole who welcomed 474 athletes from all over the world, divided in different categories: Junior, Youth and Plus, male and female.

The races for the assignment of the title of the Olympic youth class Techno 293 just started.
Circolo Surf Torbole that is organizing this big event, started this World Championships with a unique opening ceremony on Saturday, followed by the first day of racing on Monday. Especially the collaboration of the race committee, the jury, the International Techno Class 293 and the whole staff who´s supporting the Circolo Surf Torbole is making possible such an event.

However it hasn’t been an easy start for the 474 athletes who are coming from 33 countries, because of cloudy weather, some rain showers and cold temperatures. The Italian team can show a positive initiation of the event. Already in the past the Italian team could provide positive results: the “azzurri” started in main position, followed by the strong Israeli and french teams. But we can still expect some surprises…everything is possible. After the first 6 races of qualification, the competitors of all categories will be separated in gold and silver flights. The gold flight consists of racing against the best competitors.

“It has been a pretty difficult day in the water considering the cold temperatures which forced the athletes especially in the physical way. In the male division the local Nicoló Renna showed an excellent technique of racing leaving behind many other competitors. Likewise in the girls division the Italian Giorgia Speciale had a good start fighting against the Israeli Shira Benbenisti”, said Mauro Covre, the technical coach of FIV (Italian sailing federation).

Youth girls (Under-17)
Giorgia Speciale (SEF Stamua Ancona) is proving her competitive spirit and maturity despite a conservative first start. She’s in first position one point ahead from the Israeli Shira Benbenisti; in third position Naama Gazit who’s three points behind Speciale.

“I started with a fourth position because I didn’t want to risk in the first fleet considering that it was the first day of competition. I tried to stay in the central position while the group in front position went on the extreme right side and found good conditions. In the following races I tried to stay conservative but also aggressive. The results are two first places so I would say it has been a good start for me. There is still a long way to go because there are five more days of competition ahead. But Speciale isn´t the only italian lady in the Top 10, Enrica Schirru from Sardinia Island (Windsurfing Club Cagliari) is in temporary ninth position and realising a sixth-fourth-10th place.

Youth boys (Under-17)
Another excellent beginning has been showed by the local Nicoló Renna from Circolo Surf Torbole at second place, just a single point from the leader, the french Garandeau, after the first three races: third-second-second are the partials of the french competitor against a second-second-third for Renna. Third position for the Argentine Belisario Kopp (fifth-third-second position), who is four points behind the leader. An excellent eight place for the Italian Alex Gasser (Associazione Velica, Lake Caldaro, 4-5-8)

Junior boys (Under-15)
The U-15 category completed only two valid races, the Italians are in the top ten with David Antognoli (eighth position) and the local Alessandro José Tomasi ninth (LNI Riva del Garda). In the top ten also the European Champion Edoardo Tanas (Fraglia Vela Malcesine), who is currently in sixth position after a third and 12th place. A provisional first and second place respectively for Greek Kalpogiannakis and the French Ghio.

Junior girls (Under-15)
In leading position Mak Cheuk Wing (Hong Kong, 1-5), who is one point in front of the french Mathilde Garandeau (5-2); provisional third position with equal score, for the other French Jariel. In the top ten also Matilde Fassio of Circolo Nautico Loano (seventh) and Silvia Aromatario, tenth.