RS-X Youth World Championships - High flying action in Civitavecchia

by RS:X Class on 24 Oct 2013 At the RS:X Youth Sailing World Championships, each fleet sailed three more races in the waters in front of the Lega Navale Italiana of Civitavecchia, the sailing club which will host until October 26th. The Argentinian windsurfer Bautista Saubidet Birkner takes first place in the overall men's ranking, preceding two Italian athletes, Daniele Benedetti and Mattia Camboni. Israeli competitor Hadar Heller is at the top of women's ranking, while Marta Maggetti (Italy) takes second position at the expense of the young Emma Wilson, from Great Britain. On October 23rd, competitors will rest and starting from Thursday, gold and silver finals will begin.

The contest area offered once again almost perfect sailing conditions to the 121 under-19 competitors. Sun, warm temperature and about eight knots of south-east wind during women's races and a lightly stronger wind (14 knots) in the afternoon men's races. Those weather conditions allowed the Race Committee to give the start to three races for each of the three fleet (blue and green for men and pink for women).

Argentinian Bautista Saubidet Birkner (ARG-401), wins the first race and takes third and fifth place in the other two, rising from the second to the first position in the overall ranking, with nine points. Nine points also for the second competitor, Daniele Benedetti (ITA 60), thanks to a second, a first and an eighth place. The Italian flag is also on the third step of the podium, where we find Mattia Camboni (ITA-88) with a third and two sixth places.

Soon after, with 18 points, Igor De L'Hermite, France, (1,5,5 today), and Mayan Rafic, from Israel (1,4,9). Sixth position and 26 points for another French windsurfer Victor Rigolot (2,2,14), followed by Yael Paz (Israel, 26 points), Oleksandr Tugaryev from Ukraine (28 points) and Michele Cittadini (Italy, 29 points). Manolo Pochiero, leader of the overall ranking until this morning, goes down to 12th position (32 points). Artiom Javadav (Belarus) leads the ranking of U-17 athletes, and takes 13th overall place.

After six races sailed, qualifications to silver and gold fleet close. Races will start again on Thursday, after one day of rest.

Six races sailed also for women, and at the top of the ranking is Hadar Heller (ISR 9), who takes a first and two third places and remains in the lead, with 12 points. Marta Maggetti (ITA-157) is in second position with 16 points, having taken a first, a third and a fourth place. Last step of the podium for the very young Emma Wilson (GBR-961), who arrived 21st, 10th and second in the races of today. She is also the first in U-17 ranking.

Fourth position for Maelle Guilbaud (France) with 29 points, who precedes Sara Lucille Wennekes (NDR) with 37 and the U-17 athlete Bérénice Mege, from France with 37 points.

October 23rd will be a day of rest for all competitors. They will race again on Thursday, starting from 11. Men will race divided in gold and silver fleet, while women will race in a single fleet, as before.

Also starting from Thursday, for the first time during the Worlds and thanks to the cooperation of Seesailing, it will be possible to follow the races in real time, on the YouTube channel of Sailing & Travel Communications. Windsurfing and sailing enthusiasts will be able to follow the live tracking of the races directly on their PCs, iPads or iPhones.

Provisional men's ranking after six races - Top Five:

1. Bautista Saubidet Birkner (ARG 401): 1,3,1,(5),1,3 - Tot. 9 points
2. Daniele Benedetti (ITA 60): 2,2,2,2,1,(8) - Tot. 9 points
3. Mattia Camboni (ITA 88): 2,2,1,3,(6),6 - Tot. 14 points
4. Igor De L'Hermite (FRA 22): 4,(11),3,1,5,5 - Tot. 18 points
5. Mayan Rafic (ISR 900): 4,4,5,1,4,(9) - Tot. 18 points

Provisional women's ranking after six races - Top Five:

1. Hadar Heller (ISR 9): 2,(7),3,1,3,3 - Tot. 12 points
2. Marta Maggetti (ITA 157): 7,(9),1,3,4,1 - Tot. 16 points
3. Emma Wilson (GBR 961): 6,4,5RDG,(21),10,2 - Tot. 27 points
4. Maelle Guilbaud (FRA 551): (dnc),2,2,11,6,8 - Tot. 29 points
5. Sara Lucille Wennekes (NED 203): 3,(19),6,7,12,9 - Tot. 37 points
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