Wrap-up for Italian leg of the Laser Europa Cup

by Tessa Wiechmann on 1 Apr 2009
A beautiful sunny day, with winds from the south south west between 8 and 10 knots, wrapped up the Laser Europa Cup organized at La Marina di Scarlino by the Club Nautico Follonica, the Club Nautico Scarlino, by the Lega Navale Italiana di Follonica and Assolaser.

Rutger Van Schaardenburg (NED) won the Standard Laser - Marcin Rudaswki (POL) the overall and Marit Bouwmeester (NED) the female Lasre Radial division. In the Laser 4.7 class Giovanni Coccoluto ITA(under 18), Federico Tani ITA (Under 16) and Anna Pirogowa RUS (best among the females)

The 6 or 7 races in four days, depending on the class, attested to a successful organization, with 444 sailors from 21 countries blanketing the gulf of Follonica Tuscany with their white sails. Once again the race course has proven itself to be one of the best and most technical ones in Italy.

Competitors from Austria, Brazil, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Ireland, Israel, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Russia, Slovenia, San Marino, Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine and Italy took part in the prize giving ceremony while the sun set behind the island of Elba with Montecristo floating on the horizon.

'This has been a major success.' summarized at the end of the event Carlo Tosi, General Manager of the Club Nautico Scarlino, 'Both the sailors and technical support were very happy with the way racing unfolded and with the reception they got back on land. Athletes got to race in conditions ranging from the sheer survival of the first day, to medium wind on the second and light breezes on the third day.'

'The 40 volunteers who worked on the water, the presidents of the two race committees, the volunteers who served 70 kilos of pasta every day. Everyone has done a great job, working in perfect harmony.'

Laser Standard Class

In first place Dutch Rutger Van Schaardenburg (NED), followed by Italian Marco Gallo and in third place Italian Marco Regolo. A close fought series with the winner leading by only one point and the two Italians at equal points.

Laser Radial Class

In first place Pole Marcin Rudawski (POL), in second position Dutch Marit Bouwmeester and in third Swiss Guillaume Girod. Winner of the female division Dutch Marit Bouwmeester, followed by Claire Blom (NED) and Francesca Clapcich (ITA)

Laser 4.7 Class

In the 4.7 class Italian Giovanni Coccoluto won in the under 18 division, Italian Federico Tani won in the under 16 division and Russian Anna Pirogowa was the best among the females.

The race was organized in collaboration with the Assolaser, the sponsorship of Furiga Impianti, and the support of La Marina di Scarlino and Avanade

For more info: www.regatedelgolfo.it