27th Ora Cup Optimist at Lake Garda, Italy - Overall
by Elena Giolai 8 Aug 2022 10:45 AEST
5-7 August 2022
Two 'victories' in the women's field with Vittoria Berteotti and Victoria Demurtas in the cadet and junior categories respectively.
The last day of the 27th edition of the Ora Cup Ora, an Optimist regatta organised by Circolo vela Arco and FIV with almost 500 helmsmen from 20 nations, ended with a long morning of starts, black flags, and general recalls.
After Saturday evening's storm, the rain forecast for Sunday was not in sight, but the wind from the north for the first hour and a half was very unstable and a strong current against the wind direction made the starts of the gold junior fleet difficult, forcing the Race Committee to repeat the procedures several times, disqualifying a few racers for early starts.
Finally from 8:30 when everything was ready for racing, by mid-morning the current had eased and regular procedures began for the junior fleets, first of all the gold fleet with the best 92 in the race, who sailed a further three races, bringing the total to nine as scheduled. Erik Scheidt (Fraglia Vela Riva), after his victory in the last edition, repeated the feat, succeeding in the final races to impose himself on his most direct opponent Alberto Avanzini (CNBardolino).
Alessandro Ricci (Lni Ostia) leapt forward by no less than five positions, conquering the podium thanks to a 5-6-1 achieved in the last three races of the finals. Victoria Demurtas (Fraglia Vela Riva) maintained her fourth position overall, winning in the women's category, ahead of Sofia Bommartini (Fraglia Vela Malcesine) and Anna Avanzini (CNBardolino). And another Victoria, this time Berteotti, won both the overall and the women's cadet classification. Unfortunately, the cadets were unable to race any more races on Sunday than the six they had sailed until Saturday, because once they were called on the water in the late morning the wind from the north began to inexorably drop.
Classification therefore remained unchanged compared to Saturday with the overall victory of the Fraglia Vela Riva Vittoria's daughter, coach Mauro Berteotti's daughter, second place for the Czech David Dàda Hruby. Third overall and second female was the Dutch Liselot Bijlsma, who preceded Ginevra Rovaglia (CN Bardolino).
But the most eagerly awaited moment was Sunday afternoon when the extraction of the rich lottery prizes began, which for the children is always a source of excitement and happiness.
For many families, many from abroad, the Ora Cup Ora was once again an opportunity for a holiday on Garda Trentino, after two years in which few racers arrived from abroad due to pandemic restrictions. Even the United States returned with the team that is punctually selected for this event, which combines sport and tourism.
Full rankings available here.