Platu 25 World Championships Overall

by International Platu 25 Class amended by Sail-World on 4 Jun 2011 Platu 25 World Championships 2011 has come to a thrilling end after nine highly competitive races and the Italian EUK II Monella Vagabonda helmed by Sandro Montefusco, is now the new Platu 25 World Champion.

The Pugliese-Swiss team who are the new World Champions relish the victory even more as it is the crew's very first race together. 'EUK II' has lead the general ranking list for the entire World Championship of 2011.

Sandro Montefusco is satisfied. 'Today we had two fantastic races with wind blowing from 16 to 20 knots. We didn’t expect such perfect weather after the uncertain conditions of the last days but we started well in the first race today and we kept the advantage until the end. In the second race everything was more complicated as we started late and we got it wrong in some wind shifts. There was a moment in which we were in 15s but we didn’t lose our concentration and we eventually gained positions one step at a time.'

Francesco Lanera, owner of 'EUK II Monella Vagabonda' was very moved by the victory. He laughed, cried and afterwards, he laughed again saying: 'All of us hoped to achieve the victory. Sandro Montefusco was a guarantee - I have not gotten used to such strong emotions. It’s simply fantastic and it’s difficult to believe. I thank all those who have helped us and contributed to this day. Family, friends and sponsors alike. Our team faced very difficult weather conditions these past few days and did so in a determined manner.'

The pressure was always on Euk II Monella Vagabonda, among the Spanish and German boats and until the end, the second podium spot was uncertain. GAES Mundo Marino is officially in second but it wasn't definite until the end due to a protest by Bribon- Movistar that threatened to cost their compatriots dearly.

Francisco Sánchez helmsman of GAES Mundo Marino wanted to express his satisfaction. 'We did not expect this result, we’re very happy with this second place in Gmunden. It was a tricky championship with difficult wind conditions for all. We tried to be as consistent as possible and that resulted in three wins. The team is very satisfied right now. It was an incredible location to race and I’m sure that we will keep a very fond memory of Gmunden.'

In third place is the German 'Falkone' owned by Cornelius Heeschen and helmed by Falko Knabe.

Ole Von Studnitz , the Falkone’s tactician was absolutely happy. 'We are more than satisfied because we are Corinthians, not professional sailors. Our team started sailing just one year ago. The boat is also brand new and we just purchased it this past year. It was a great Championship with a high technical level. The Spanish boats were really very competitive and some of the German crews were very prepared as well as experienced. So it’s simply super for us to have won. For our team is a great beginning.'

Overall ranking after nine races, one discard:

1- ITA 243 EUZ ll Monella Vagabonda 37 points
2 - ESP 25158 GAES Mundo Marino 51 points
3 - GER 1 Falkone 61 points
4 - ESP 25451 Bribon Movistar 64 points
5 - ITA 82 NANUK 68 points
6- ESP 25422 The Collection-Coppe Dental 73 points
7 - GER 63 Kyra 74 points
8 – ESP 25521 Mata Hambre 76 points
9 – ESP 25068 Mexillon De Galicia Movistar 100 points
10 - GER 140 Murtfeldt 100 Platu 25 website