Platu 25 World Championship - Teams ready for Antibes action

by Sabrina Bonaiti on 22 Sep 2014 Everything is ready for the most expected appointment of this sail season. Platu 25 crews joined in Antibes, Azur Coast, in order to take part in the World Championship organized by Société de Régates de Antibes – Juan les Pins from the 22nd to the 27th of September.

From tomorrow, at leat 40 teams will draw up along the start line. There will be also a crew coming from Japan leaded by Chono Shintago on board of 'Cumadè'. Italian crews are leading the International fleet, placing a dozen of boats, followed by German, Austrian and Swiss crews that have just concluded the Central European Alp Cup with a last Act in Mandello del Lario. Very good also the French delegation lining up seven very competitive crews.

There are all preconditions for success and Edoardo Barni, the Platu 25 International class President, discloses his satisfaction: 'We rely on a Platu 25 International class restart. Despect difficult times, the class is confirming a good endurance. The strategical position of Antibes and good Platu 25 crews participation determined our choise on Azur Coast. However, from next year we are getting ready with more appointments and events in Japan, News Zealand, Australia and Thailand where the Platu 25 fleets are increasing. The focal point is moving from Europe to Asia and we'll organise more and more events in Asian regatta fields, with perfectly rigged and equipped rental boats. It will be a sort of coming back to the origins, if we consider that Thailand – where every year the One Design Platu Championship takes place – is just the Country where Bruce Farr designed Platu, which thakes its name from a fish living in Thailand waters'.

All eyes are locked on the Italian 'Euz II Monella Vagabonda' owned by Francesco Lanera and helmed by Sandro Montefusco. The Italian crew, from Puglia (South Italy) conquered two World Championships (in Gmunden 2011, and in Cala de' Medici 2012), and almost the Worlds in Portosin, Spain, last year when 'Euz II' finished second, same points with the Portoguese 'Credit Egs'. Euz II Monella Vagabonda' peformed also very well this year, conquering, for the fifth time, the Platu 25 Italian Champion title. An other very competitive boat is 'Five for fighting 3' owned by Tommaso De Bellis and helmed by Giulio Desiderato, a 470 champion. This boat, coming from Puglia and from the same Lega Navale Monopoli, became a thorn in the Euz II Monella Vagabonda's side. Let's see if in Antibes, De Bellis will be able to break the perennial runner-up spell.

Among the most competitive Italian teams there will be 'Ghibli' helmed by Ignazio Bonanno (Marina Militare Italiana), Stefano Bettarini's 'Sei Bizzosa', Ferdinando Dandini de Sylva's 'Di Nuovo Simpatia', Alberto Wolleb and Emanuale Vitrano's 'Brera Hotel', Michele Molfino's 'Bambolina', and Simonetta and Richard Martini's 'Kong - Bambino Viziato' helmed by Fabio Mazzoni.

German fleet lines up very strong teams like 'Randale 3' helmed by Ingo Lochman and 'Gruen' helmed by Jens Ahlgrimm. Eyes locked also on Swiss 'Super Busi' helmed by Mathias Bermejo and 'Aramis' helmed by Martin Sigrist, Pay attention to Dorn Felix who will compete on a French boat iand to all French crews, especially 'Black Flag' helmed by Christophe Chaffardon that conquered the Primo Cup in Montecarlo in Platu 25 this year.

Today, in the afternoon, a practise race is scheduled and tomorrow the 2014 Platu 25 World Championship will oficially start.

Follow the Platu 25 Worlds at: Platu 25 or here.