Appointment in Ebensee for First Act of Platu 25 Alpen Cup

by Sabrina Bonaiti on 7 May 2011 The Ebensee Sailing Club is preparing the Second Act of the Platu 25 Alpen Cup that will take place on the Lake Traunsee from the 21 to the 22 of May.

Considering that this year, the Platu 25 World Championship will be on the lake Traunsee in Gmunden (28 May-3 June), the appointment in Ebensee represents an ideal preparation to get in touch with the Worlds area. Although it is still Winter in the Austrian Alps, Spring is coming and the Lakes area near Salzburg is getting ready for the event.

As Edoardo Barni, the Platu 25 International President underlined: 'The first Act of the Alpen Cup in Malcesine(29 April-1st May), was a real success, with 21 crews that took part to the event on the Garda Lake. The First Act coincided with the beginning of the Italian Circuit, so 10 crews out of 21 were Italians. We might remember that two out of four Acts of the Alpen Cup take place in Italy (Lake of Garda and Lake of Como). So that means that more and more Italian crews are involved in this prestigious International appointment. Some German crews couldn’t go to Malcesine because they were racing in Kiel. So, I feel confident that for the next appointment in Ebensee the participation will be even more numerous. Ebensee represents the last approach leg to the Platu 25 Worlds. Ebensee is on the Traunsee Lake, the same where the Worlds will take place, so it’s an occasion that can’t be missed for testing the Worlds field of regatta. At the moment the registered boats to the Worlds are 45 and we are confident that more crews will take part to the most important appointment of the year '.

The bay of Ebensee is famous for its thermal winds and its beautiful sourroundings in between the mountains of the Salzkammergut. Ebensee is also the practice centre of the Upper Austrian sailing federation and it’s the home base of the Austrian RC44 Team.

In 2009, Ebensee had already hosted the first Act of the Alpen Cup, also in cooperation with Mercedes-Benz. In that occasion the winner was the 'Swiss Sailart team', followed by two Italian teams: 'Sail Brain – Pirillina' helmed by Claudio Fasoli and 'Lo Sguscio' by Domenico Bertolini (Red Danger) .Boats from all over Europe are expected in Ebensee for competing the Second Act of the Alpen Cup. The first leg of the Alpencup, indeed, takes place at the Garda Lake three weeks before (29 April-1st May).

It’s quite hard to say who will be the favourites in Ebensee. Of course, 'La Burra' helmed by Thomas Laherstorfer - the 2010 Alpen Cup winner - and local teams are very motivated. There are other boats to keep watch over. The first of them is the German team 'Farrbarr' helmed by Jens Ahlgrimm who won the Traunseeweek, like so 'White Pearl' helmed by Michael Farthofer, the 2010 Austrian Champion. There is also the German 'Falkone' helmed by Falko Knabe who demonstrated a very good form in Monaco (second place in Primo Cup ). Some Italians are also very competitive. Sandro Montefusco and 'Nanuk' helmed by Luigi Ravioli - who won the Primo Cup in Monaco last February and conquered the first Act in Malcesine last May - are two very competitive adversaries. There will be also the competitive Italian team 'Brera Hotel' helmed by Alberto Wolleb and 'Euz II' that didn't take part to the first Act in Malcesine. From Switzerland, a very strong team to keep under observation is 'Superbüsi' helmed by Mathias Bermejo (second in the first Act of the Alpen Cup in Malcesine). From Switzerland, a very strong team to keep under observation is 'Superbüsi' helmed by Mathias Bermejo (second in the first Act of the Alpen Cup in Malcesine).

Ebensee is hoping for good and fair winds and fine weather. And for good food and entertainment. On Saturday evening, indeed, a local band will entertain the sailors with ethnic and worlds sounds after the dinner. For Sunday a Bavarian breakfast is scheduled.

For the Worlds boats can be easily moved to Gmunden by car or over the lake. The APCA will provide more information at the 21th of May in Ebensee. The 2011 Central European Alp Cup overall ranking is supported by Montefusco Sailmakers and Lanex ropes.

Until now the registered boats are 18. For all the Platu 25 that haven’t applied jet, you can find a very useful registration guide on this page: http://www.platu25.at/download/Online-Registration-Guide_CEAC_Leg2.pdf

More information on Platu 25 Worlds 2011 here

English edited by Kev Sott (Thailand NCA)