Olympic Sailing excellence at Fraglia Vela Riva

by Fraglia Vela Riva Press Office-E.G. on 12 May 2010 Around 250 crews are registered despite other events been scheduled at the same time, the Finn Continental Championship (at Spalato) and match race (in Austria). A record 40 Nations are represented.

After organizing, earlier in the season international competitive events such as Optimist, Yngling, Surprise, 505 and Korsar, Fraglia Vela Riva is proud to organize this ultimate event in sailing. Olympic Excellence.

The new women's Olympic Match Race will also be featured on Lake Ledro where conditions are ideal for the one to one races. Australian Katy Spithill Number three ISAF Ranking. Stands out in this class with reigning Italian champion Lorenza Mariani (CV Campione) and Federica Wetzl (Società Triestina della Vela) for Italy. Cristina Monina is busy with the European Championship.

Many teams consider the Eurolymp of Riva del Garda as a testing ground for the World Cup in Medemblik (26-30 May - Grade one ISAF).

Trentino Lake Garda will be divided in to five Regatta areas to accommodate all the races. The Regatta is scheduled to start on Wednesday the 12th of May at 13,00 hour, while the first day of competition for the women's Match race will be on Thursday the 13th.

The final for the match race and the Medal race for the Derive and Star will be on Sunday.

Laser Radial – F
A well trained women's fleet: Italy has Francesca Clapcich in excellent form and other young sailors who are gaining experience. Among others registered are Lithuanian Gintare Sheidt, Silver Medal in Peking and other athletes all with Olympic experience. Also present is Mexican Elias Calles Tania, who after competing in two Olympics, recently wanted to enter into the Guinness Book of Records by sailing solo for 300 miles with the LASER.

Laser Standard – M
Olympic Medalist Diego Romero will be limited in his possibilities due to a back injury. Spaniard Javier Hernandez Number three in ranking ISAF third in World 2008 will be present as will Argentinian Julio Alsogaray second in the World 2008.

Star
About 40 crews are in the Star fleet. New for Italy is Diego Negri (Fiamme Gialle) together with rookie Enrico Voltolini (CN Livorno).

The USA is represented by 2009 World Champions George Szabo and Nick Merriman, winners of the prestigious Bacardi Cup. Now with the Star is Fernando Echavarri from Spain Gold Medal of Peking but with the Tornado.
Fraglia Vela Malcesine home base of the Regattas

49er
A medium level class, which includes brothers Pietro and Gianfranco Sibello as well as another eight Italian crews. Among the foreigners is Francisco Andrade of Portal (competed in two Olympics) now the bowmen of young Bernardo Freitas. Keep your eye on Greek Sotirious, German Seeman and Makino of Japan.

470
After an excellent result in the recent National 470 at Riva, Zandonà Zucchetti are setting their sights high as are all the others. The girl's crew of Conti-Micol are hoping for a victory.

RS:X
About 20 men's boards are registered with 10 Nations being represented. There is still a doubt about the women's participation.

Finn
Due to lack of participation (because of the European Championship being held at this time) the races for this class will not take place.

2.4
We were delighted to be asked to include the Paralimpica 2.4 class in line with CIO/ISAF, unfortunately due to a lack of participants, has been cancelled. This class is already included in the World Cup of Palma, Majorca. Next year though, we will try, together with the class 2.4, to better promote the event so it will takeoff also in the Olympic Garda-Eurolymp.