Young Azzurra wins the first Persico 69F Cup Grand Prix of 2021 in Malcesine
by Yacht Club Costa Smeralda 2 May 23:20 PDT
30 April - 2 May 2021
Young Azzurra wins the first Grand Prix of the Persico 69F Cup © Marta Rovatti Studihrad / 69F Media
Sunday was the final day of racing at the Grand Prix 1.1 Persico 69F Cup and Young Azzurra has won the first event in this year's circuit.
The team, lead by skipper Ettore Botticini with Federico Colaninno flight controller, with Francesca Bergamo and Erica Ratti alternating on the mainsail, will be sailing in their home waters in July. In fact the next two events in the Persico 69F Cup will be held in Sardinia.
It has been three days of difficult sailing on Lake Garda due to unfavorable weather conditions, day one even saw racing called off due to lack of wind. Yesterday, May 1, there was light breeze at 6 to 8 knots from the south/south west, so the teams had trouble foiling. Only two races were held and Young Azzurra placed first and second. It was a he's to head fight to the end with the Swiss team Okalys, but Young Azzurra prevailed with a win and two second placing today which, added to their electronic points, meant that they had captured the highest place on the podium.
Ettore Botticini, skipper of Young Azzurra, had these words: "It's been a tough week, we trained in steady breeze only to find completely different conditions once the event started. During our practice sessions, we tried out a new formation that our coach Gabriele Bruni suggested, with Erica and Francesca together aboard. For now we're just trying it out, but it's looking like it could have great potential in the future. This morning we headed out knowing that the final races would be crucial, and we did what we had to do and held off the Swiss team. We're happy with our results and we're already looking towards the upcoming events in Porto Cervo."
Overall results can be found here.