The Brazilian Byte Class Association and ADC Eletropaulo Sports Association under authority of the São Paulo State Sailing Federation, FEVESP and the Brazilian Sailing Confederation, CBVM, are extremely pleased to have hosted the 2010 Byte CII South American Championship and Youth Olympic Games Qualifier for South and Central America from January 25th to Jan 31st, 2010.
Alexander Elstrodt of Brazil wins CII South American Championship and YOG Qualifier
It's over! Elstrodt bested both his peers and his elders to win the inaugural South American Championshp and, in so doing, qualified Brazil for a spot in the Youth Olympic Games this coming August in Singapore. Racing on the final day was cancelled for lack of wind so the results after 11 races stand. This left Elstrodt with a single point margin over Michael Louzada BRA, an experienced competitor with fifth and sixth place finishes in the last two World’s.
In third place was Juan Ignacio Biava ARG who, as the second country finisher of youth age, qualified Argentina for the Games. Two country positions were available to both the male and female qualifying sailors from amongst Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Peru.
Fourth and fifth place went to female sailors with Denise Chagas BRA, current CII World Masters Champion edging out her young ompatriot Claudia Mazzaferro by just two points. Mazzaferro (below), as the top youth qualifier, therefore earns Brazil a place in the YOG.
Three points behind Mazzafero was the top female Argentinean qualifier, Solewe Crepin, who likewise earns Argentina a place in Singapore.
It should be pointed out that, although the sailors have earned their countries a place in the Games, it is the Member National Authority that will make the final selection of who represents their country at the Games.
The Byte Class International Association is extemely grateful to the ADC Eletropaulo Sports Association, the São Paulo State Sailing Federation, FEVESP and the Brazilian Sailing Confederation, CBVM, for the tremendous support they have given to the Championship and to Cristina Dehn, the Class representative on the Organizing committee for the tremendous job she did in putting the event together. A special thank you as well to all the volunteers and to the Race Committee and the Jurors - an event like this does not happen without them and they have all contributed to making this an outstanding Championship in difficult conditions.
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Alexande Elstodt BRA takes over the lead from Louzada after only two races are sailed on Day Four.
Rain continues to plague the Championship as Sao Paulo sees its heaviest rainfall in 60 years! In spite of this, they have managed to get off 11 races in 6 - 11 knots (Singapore conditions without the rain) and, when sailing became impossible, it was soccer as usual!
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