Youth Foiling Gold Cup Act 2 in La Grande-Motte, France - Overall
by 69F Sailing 14 May 2023 10:53 PDT
8-14 May 2023
The Antiguan crew, Rum Runners, snatched the overall victory in La Grande Motte on the very last double points race against the Dutch from DutchSail JAJO.
Until then their opponents had the upper hand after winning three of the last five. But the Antiguan flagged team of Rocco Falcone, Filippo Amonti and Alice Cialfi take the top step of the podium at Act 2 to secure their place in the final in Barcelona next fall.
"It was really a last minute win, after a huge fight between us and Dutch Sail and Luna Rossa Piranha. One time it was us, one time not so it was in the balance until the very end. So we're super stoked. The level among the finalists is veryhigh, everyone can win and everyone makes mistakes. It's a fight at every mark " gushed Filippo Amonti just seconds before opening the victory champagne.
The last day of competition was intense: light wind and threatening storm clouds for the field of six finalists who raced a total of 5 of the 6 scheduled regattas. With the point tight and the umpires kept busy with many penalties handed out, the main thing was to be consistent and avoid mistakes.
The new crew of Team France, a fine winner of two races were too up and down. But the French young team leaves La Grande Motte on a positive note.
"Apart from Enzo (Balanger), none of us knew the 69F and as a crew we were still learning to work with each other," explains Mathilde Lovadina. "So we are above all super happy to have managed to get to the final!"
The other French team, Groupe Atlantic, finished just off the podium, but with no regrets.
"Our record is not bad. And we are a little sad to miss qualifying for Barcelona which was our main objective (the first two teams of each Act meet in the final in Barcelona). But there are still a lot of positives, because we have a new crew line up. We are also very happy with the event, the sailing conditions were great, the 2-lap courses were great. We're wanting more regattas like that. And finally the level was crazy with the two boats from Luna Rossa, DutchSail and Team France. We have never had a final of this level in 69F!"
Final Ranking Act 2 Youth Foiling Gold Cup:
1 - Rum Runners (Antigua)
2 - Team JAJO - DutchSail (NED)
3 - Luna Rossa - Piranha (ITA)
4 - Groupe Atlantic Sailing Team(FRA)
5 - Team France Jeune (FRA)
6 - Luna Rossa - Swordfish (ITA)
Detail of the results here.
The Youth Foiling Gold Cup 69 F 2023 circuit continues with the following events:
- Act 3 - Kingston (Canada) July 10-15
- Act 4 - Torbole (Italy) 21-27 August
- Final - Barcelona (Spain) 2-5 November