Agustín Zabalua dominates D-One regatta in Cattolica

by Pierre Orphanidis on 13 Jun 2011
The Volvo Cup D-One continues under the clear domination of Agustín Zabalua. The Argentinean skipper, winner of the first Gold Cup edition in Valencia, scored yet another two bullets on Sunday, after Saturday’s first place.

This triple bullet performance put Zabalua comfortably in command of the overall score table of this great event, hosted by the Yacht Club Marina of Cattolica. Second and third places went to Italians Alessandro Novi (2,5,2) and Paolo Rossi (3,3,5). Andrea Magni (9,4,3 and winner in the Masters division) and Nicolò Saidelli (10,6,6), with an excellent performance in Sunday’s two races, close the top five spots. Sunday’s two races were held under a gentle northerly breeze between 6 and 9 knots. On Saturday only one race took place, again with a northerly that started at 10 knots and gradually slowed to 5 knots.

Among the 21 skippers, no less than five raced with the smaller 9.5m rig specifically destined for lightweights. Nathalie Testa, from Albenga, was victorious in Cattolica as well, finishing ahead of Francesca Cinque, from Rome, and Valentina Venturi.

The overall level of the fleet is constantly growing, in view of the Gold Cup, scheduled to take place from the 28th to the 31st of July in Riva del Garda. 'There will be many Finn Olympic sailors,' said Agustin Zabalua, 'Andrea Casale, Giorgio Poggi and many non-Italians. The level will be high and conditions demanding, with the usual summer breeze of Garda that tops 20 knots. We will have to prepare well to take advantage of our chances. The level of the class is constantly growing.'

Nicollò Saidelli from Genoa, fifth overall in Cattolica, said: 'In the D-One class it’s the friendly ambiance and fun that matter most. We have lots of fun, still, with a technical boat that requires training and sharp skills to set up. We like that the class is so, we are all friends and we enjoy it very much.'

The Volvo Cup D-One, after its three initial stages in Alassio, Bracciano and Cattolica will now move to Riva del Garda, Italy (27-29 July), then at the Marina di Scarlino for the Italian National Championship (16-18 September) and finally the Barcolina of Trieste (1-2 October).