Platu 25 Central European Alp Cup - 'Reach Around' a new Champion
by Sabrina Bonaiti on 13 Sep 2014
Platu 25 Ceac in Mandello del Lario G P and Various
After six very competitive races the British 'Reach Around' scored points enough to conquer the highest step of the podium in the general ranking list last week end. So, at the end of four legs that have been competed in four different Alp Lakes - in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy - for the first time a not Alpine team got the eighth edition of the Platu 25 Central European Alp Cup Champion title.
At second place is the last year winner 'Superbüsi' helmed by Matthias Bermejo SUI 235 (won also in 2011) and at third place La Burra - AUT 1 helmed by Thomas Lahersdorfer (he won in 2007, 2008 and 2010). The fourth place is for 'Aramis' with Martin Sigrist at the helm (won in 2009) followed by 'El Miracle' SUI 477 from Lucerne.
Christian Sutherland, 'Reach Around''s helmsman is satisfied. 'We started competing on a Platu 25 in 2011 when we took part in World Championship in Gmunden, Austria. In Britain, ours is the only Platu 25 boat competing and for us it's a good result to win the Platu 25 Alp Cup'. Coming from Royal Lymington Yacht Club, 'Reach Around' team is composed by Etienne Gauvain (tactitian), James Dodd (Trimmer), Simon Mc Carthy (Pit/Middle) and Andy Liss (Bow) besides other many sailormen who turned for different races.
So the Swiss 'Superbusi' has to give up his title, making do with a second place. 'We have to tell that we are happy for the second place. Our performance this year was pretty good in Gmunden and in Mandello, but not so brilliant in Immenstaad and in Brunnen. British team was more constant. By the way, it's great to have new entries and notice that the Platu 25 general level grew up a lot. That's a very comforting signal for the class'.
The third place is for the Austrian team 'La Burra' helmed by Thomas Lahersdorfer who expresses his satisfaction for the 2014 sail season: 'During this Alp Cup edition we had an exciting challenge with the British team. The last Act here in Mandello was very good for us, we finished at third place, so we concluded in a brilliant way this sail season'.
The last Act was conquered by the Italian boat 'Five for fighting three' helmed by Tommaso De Bellis, a very strong team from Puglia. 'Our first place wasn't taken for granted because our helmsman, Giulio Desiderato, was with us for the first time. Furthermore, it's the first time we compete here in Mandello del Lario and it was really a positive surprise, with excellent organisation, very exciting races and a very high technical level. We came here to face and test Platu 25 competitive crews before Worlds in Antibes. After this result, we are more confident about our possibilities'.
Good performance also for 'Supebusi' that concluded at second place in Mandello followed 'Masquenada' (LNI Mandello del Lario) helmed by Pierluigi Puthod.
As Günther Prummer, President of the APCA and co-founder of the race series, lined out: 'The Central European Alp-Cup in is eighth year fulfil the expatiations for excellent sailing races in the most attractive team one design boat. 32 boats took part in the Ceac and in the last act in Mandello we concluded with 22 boats. More teams than before run all Four Acts of the CEAC. That's a great result and we are very optimistic for the next Ceac editions and also for participation in Platu 25 World Championship from the 20th to the 27th of September. Goal for next year is to have minimum three Teams from every alpine country to compete for the cup and bring up results to the CEAC-nations challenge. Guest are welcome!'
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