Getting ready for the Platu 25 Worlds in Tuscany (23-29 September)

by Sabrina Bonaiti on 23 Sep 2012 The Platu 25 World Championship that will take place in Cala De’ Medici, Tuscany, from the 23rd to the 29th of September 2012 is expected as one of the most important of recent years.

In economic crisis and difficult times, the Platu 25 class persists and it’s gathering one more time around the Worlds, thanks also to the strategic position in the heart of Italy, in Tuscany, where everybody can easy come, either from North Europe or from South.

So, there are all the ingredients for a very high level Platu 25 World Championships, thank to the involvement of expert and competitive crews.

As Antonio Ciapparelli, Yacht Club Cala de’ Medici President, underlined: 'For us and for Cala de’ Medici city, it’s a very important appointment that will assure media visibility. The Platu 25 class has got its root in Italy and abroad, so we are aware of the interest of this event and its significance for tourism'.

There is a deep and strong relationship between the Platu 25 class and the YCCM, as Mr Ciapparelli reminded: 'Our Yacht Club was born ten years ago and I remind that we organized our first regattas just with Platu 25. Over the years, the relationship became stronger and stronger and we hosted many National Championship acts. In September there will be a sort of celebration of this special union, with the third act of the Coppa Italia (from the 14th to the 16th of September) and with the World Championship'.

This year, for the Italia crews, the appointment with the Worlds is even more remarkable. 'Euz II Monella Vagabonda' owned by Francesco Lanera and helmed by Sandro Montefusco will have to to defend the World Champion title. The crews form Puglia will take part to the next Worlds with its set pieces. On board, indeed, there will be Simone Ferrarese, Corrado Minutolo Capece, Francesco Lanera e Andrea Quartulli. Oltre to the Champions, the Italia fleet includes other competitive crews like 'Fight for Fighting 3' owned by Tommaso De Bellis with Alberto La Tegola at the helm, 'Brera Hotels' of Alberto Wolleb ed Emanuele Vitrano and '6 Bizzosa' helmed by Stefano Bettarini.

The Italian crews will have to face with the very strong Greek 'Modus Vivendi Alfa 3' helmed by Kostas Karageorgiou (2010 World Champion in Alicante) and with Anton and Carlos Paz, the Spanish brothers who conquered the 2009 Platu 25 World Champion title in Punta Ala. Anton Paz, with his partner Fernando Echavarri, won a gold medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. An other Olympic Champion who usually sails in Platu 25 class is Tamara Echegoyen, who has just conquered a gold medal in the match-race during the 2012 Olympic Games in London. Keep a check also on 'Sperry - Coppel Dental' of Alfredo Mella and José Manuel Pérez, and 'Bribón-Movistar' of Josep Cusí with Marc de Antonio at the helm.

The competitive German crews could also make things very hard. Among the most competitive boats, there will be Ingo Lochmann’s 'Randale 3' - 2012 Kieler Woche Champion in the Platu 25 class – and Felix Dorn’s 'B52 Conquer' that is leading the Alp Cup overall ranking at the moment. Among the most expert crews, we have to remind also Jens Ahlgrimm’s 'Gruen Farrbar 2' and Thomas Laherstorfer’s 'La Burra' from Austria.

The Swiss fleet lines up competitive crews like 'Superbusi – Like a Vergin' helmed by Mathias Bermejo who won the 2011 Platu 25 Alp Cup and who is, at the moment, at second place in the 2012 Alp Cup overall ranking. There will be also the 'Sail Art-Team' with 'Aramis' helmed by Martin Sigrist, with Markus Bohren as a tactician adn Lukas Gehrig at bow.

This year there will be, one more time, Marina Kasatova’s 'Navis Vela' from Russia. Marina Kasatova is always present during the most important Platu 25 International class events. Since the 2008 Worlds on Greece, she hadn’t missed any appointment. Crews form Thailand and Finland are also expected.

The Platu 25 international class doesn’t live just for sport but also for solidarity. The Italian boat 'Aria' owned by Francesco Lagirti, with Roberto Puccetti the Platu 25 Italian class Secretary on board, supports 'Associazione Italiana dei Donatori di Organi' (AIDO) - Organ donors Italian association - headed by Francesco Bellomo The Italian team 'Aria' just during the World Championship in Alicante, started its cooperation with AIDO in order l to promote the culture of organ donation in sport and from then it takes its message of courage and generosity in all the National and International regattas. (For more information www.aido.it. Wathc also the video by Jesus Renedo www.youtube.com/watch?v=3b8nZbb7rmE).

There will be also the Austrian boat 'Damaris' helmed by Guenter Prummer, the Austrian Platu 25 class President. 'Damaris' supports DEBRA Austria. This association helps children which are diseased with EB (Epidermolysis bullosa). It´s a raw skin disease with dramatic very painful consequences for the patient. Debra supports the research and healing in Austria and worldwide. On the mainsail of AUT 286 - the Damaris the Debra Logo has been there for 3 years to bring attention to all that some people are 'not able to get to the starting line of life '! (for more information DEBRA www.debra-international.org e www.schmetterlingskinder.at)

In the next weeks, new crews and new inscriptions are expected. The organizing Committee in Cala de’ Medici is ready to host with usual warmth welcome the sailors coming from all over the World, in order to live together an unforgettable 2012 Platu 25 Worlds.

UFFICIO STAMPA PLATU 25
Sabrina Bonaiti sabrinabonaiti@libero.it

FOTO: JESUS RENEDO

English edited by
Kev Sott
(Thailand NCA)



Follow the Platu 25 World Championship in Cala de’ Medici on http://www.platu25worlds2012.com/
Watch the video by Sabrina Bonaiti at: www.platu25worlds2012.com/interna/en/video/worlds-2012.shtml