RS Aero World Championship at Calasetta, Sardinia, Italy - Day 3
by Elena Giolai 28 Jul 12:12 PDT
26-30 July 2023
The RS Aero Absolute and Youth - Junior Worlds, which began on Wednesday in Calasetta, after two days of strong to medium-strong mistral winds, had much lighter winds on the third day of racing, enough to contest just one race.
The Italian Sailing Federation's Race Committee, chaired by Mario Lupinelli, noticed today's south-westerly wind and decided to race on race course 'A', opposite the beaches of Sottotorre and La Salina, just below the town of Calasetta. It was a real spectacle to see the fleet racing against the backdrop of the village, especially when all the boats divided into the four categories RS Aero 9, 7, 6 and 5 had set off.
Yesterday was a convivial evening organised by the Sucis Naval League, with all the racers and companions being hosted in a restaurant serving local specialities that were much appreciated by the many foreigners present (19 nations), as well as with an award ceremony for the most original shirt. The Italians certainly have a lot to learn about the spirit with which foreigners approach regattas, as they always participate by putting in the foreground not only the competitive aspect, but also the cultural, social and fun aspect of an international event in a country far from their own. It is an opportunity to get to know other cultures, travel, make new friends and share the same passion for sailing with many other sailors.
After today's regatta, the programme has now reached seven races with two days to go.
In the RS Aero 9 the American trio continues, with the first two just one point apart: Dan Falk, first today, leads, followed by Madhavan Thirumalai, first master. Keith Hammer was third. Also in the RS Aero 7 trio, but this time British: the president of the International RS Aero class Peter Barton with a first has taken the lead although by just one point over the other Briton Jack Miller; third Noah Rees, today disqualified for an early start.
Excellent second of the day for the Norwegian Magne Klann. The athlete of the Lega Navale del Sulcis, the organising club of this record world championship, Filippo Vincis recovered one point with today's fifth, maintaining sixth position at 16 points from the podium zone. Too bad for Leopoldo Sirolli, today's early start (discarded), eighth overall.
The undisputed leader in the RS Aero 6 is the Australian Rhett Gowans, who continues his race alone, leaving at the moment 17 points to the American Creitz, first junior, today third. Third overall is the Ukrainian Sofiia Naumenko, four points behind second. But in the RS Aero 6 category great day pr the athlete of the Yacht Club Cala dei Sardi (Gulf of Cugnana, Gallura) Andrea De Matteis, who won today's race: for him a seventh place overall, second Youth.
Still in the top ten the other Italian Giacomo Gatta, ninth overall. In the RS Aero 5 good margin for the British Mark Ripley, first youth, followed by compatriot Chloe George, first girl; third with a certain detachment the Swedish Elliot Hellstrom, second youth. Romagna's Giacomo Zanzini (CN Rimini) did badly today, now eighth overall, but first junior; behind him was Francesca Ramazzotti (Veliamoci Oristano), second girl. In the ten also Enrico Loi (Windsurfing Club Cagliari), second junior and tenth overall.
In the two days that follow, the second discard can only enter with the tenth race: so everything is still to be played out on a sporting level, while the 136 racers and their relatives are enjoying the Sardinian hospitality and that of Calasetta in particular.
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