69f Youth Foiling Gold Cup Grand Final 2023 Day 1
by 69F Sailing 2 Nov 2023 10:31 PDT
2-5 November 2023
69f Youth Foiling Gold Cup Grand Final 2023 © Marta Rovatti Studihrad / 69F Media
The top eight teams from the 69F 2023 YFGC season are now in Barcelona, Spain, from today until Sunday, November 5th, to compete in the 69F YFGC Grand Final and determine the best team of the 2023 season.
The top two teams from each of the four events have earned a ticket to access the Grand Final, played over four days with the eight teams taking turns on the six boats in the 69F fleet. Two days of qualifications and two days of final rounds will conclude with a best-of-three match-race series between the top two teams.
This event is organized by Club Vilassar de Mar in cooperation with Marina Vela Barcelona and 69F, with the support of Velissima Restaurant, De Antonio Yachts, and the Hotel Almanac. The racing will be accompanied by social events throughout the weekend to celebrate the successful season of the Under 25 69F circuit.
The teams racing this week:
- Antigua Rum Runners (ANT): Rocco Falcone, Federico Colaninno, and Alice Cialfi.
- Groupe Atlantic Sailing Team (FRA): Clément Cron, Louis Chambet, Jessica Berthoud, and Pierre Mas as coach.
- Alps Racing (SUI): Nick Robin Zelter, Iset Segura Santaeularia, and Caspar Lenz Anderson.
- Enzedder (NZL): Sam Street, Leo Takahashi, Serena Woodall, and Filippo Amonti as coach.
- Dutchsail - Jajo (NED): Paul Hameeteman, Eliott Savelon, Ismene Usman, and Aleksandr Moliakov.
- Oceana Vivo (GBR): Zachary Blomeley, Cas Van Dongen, Hebe Hemming, Sophie Otter, and Scipio Houtman as coach.
- Clean Sailors Youth Racing Team (SUI): CJ Perez, Lukas Hesse, and Jann Schupbach.
- Orient Express L'Oréal Racing Team (FRA): Enzo Balanger, Lou Maurniac, Theo Revil, Gaultier Tailleu, and Michel Philippe as coach.
For Marina Vela Barcelona, hosting a sporting nautical event of this nature aligns with their commitment to "recreational sailing as an increasingly sustainable social, economic, and environmental activity," in the words of their director, Alberto García. "Sailing and supporting the development of more efficient motors powered by renewable energy sources are in our DNA. Hence, we are also the first Sports Marina in Barcelona to have charging stations for 100% electric boats."
The President of Club Nàutic Vilassar de Mar, Jesús Majem, emphasizes the importance of organizing this regatta, stating that "foil is the present of sailing" and is in line with the events the club is hosting, such as the Catalonian Wingfoil Cup. Founded in 1957, Club Nàutic Vilassar de Mar is one of the most important sailing clubs in our country, having played a pivotal role in significant sailing events, including hosting the Sailing competitions of the Barcelona '92 Olympics in Barcelona's waters.
Giorgio Benussi, director of 69F, is delighted to "return to racing in Barcelona and renew the collaboration with Marina Vela and Club Nautic de Vilassar de Mar, as well as with the rest of the partners." He mentions that "thanks to the skill of the young sailors of the 69F, it will be a high-level spectacle, on the racecourse where the 37th America's Cup will be contested, with the 69F, which are a smaller version of those foiling monohulls."
Racing today, Day One of the qualifying series, has been canceled due to the adverse weather conditions affecting Europe this week. The storm 'Ciaran,' which is hitting the north coast of France and has significantly impacted the Transat Jacques Vabre, has forced classes like Class 40 and Ocean 50 to seek shelter in Lorient, and the IMOCA 60 class to delay their departure from Le Havre. These weather conditions have also partially affected Barcelona and the Mediterranean Sea. Outside the harbor of Marina Vela, waves are exceeding two meters, and the wind is blowing well past 20 knots, gusting to more than 30. For the safety of all the teams and 69F personnel, today's racing has been postponed, and the first day of sailing will now take place tomorrow, November 3rd.
Find the official event website here.