EUROSAF Match Racing Open European Championship 2024 at Circolo Velico Ravennate set to begin
by Doris Gstatter / EUROSAF 5 Jun 2024 02:33 AEST
4-9 June 2024
EUROSAF Match Racing, Open and Women's European Championships © Mauro Melandri / Circolo Velico Ravennate
The EUROSAF Match Racing, Open European Championship 2024, an event organized by Circolo Velico Ravennate in conjunction with the Italian Sailing Federation and EUROSAF, will start today with the opening ceremony.
10 helmsmen have entered, representing 6 nations - Italy, France, Poland, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Great Britain - confirming how widespread the one-on-one sailing discipline is at an international level. The French Damien Michelier, number 4 in the world ranking list, is leading the entry list, followed by Rocco Attili, winner of the Italian Nationals 2023 in Marina di Ravenna and number 5 in the world. Two other French helmsmen line up, both current Top Ten Match Racers, too: Timothee Rossi, number 8, and Ian Garretta, number 9 and reigning European champion. Completing the entry list are Ireland's Jack Higgins, Dutchman Bal Lennard, Poland's Patryk Zbroja and Kenzo Coutard.
The races will be sailed with eight TOM 28s owned by Circolo Velico Ravennate, a boat designed with match racing in mind. To date, the programme includes a double round robin followed by the elimination phase and the finals.
"When a match race regatta is organized at Circolo Velico Ravennate there is always euphoria: One-on-one sailing has a long history and tradition in our club, which for 13 years has organized the Trombini Trophy, an event that in the past has been joined by the big names of international sailing and the America's Cup," commented Matteo Plazzi, president of Circolo Velico Ravennate.
"EUROSAF has chosen to return to Circolo Velico Ravennate for the European Match Racing Championship, because in Ravenna there are the expertise, the means, and the availability to guarantee a high level event," explained Marco Predieri, EUROSAF vice-president.
The final races of the European Championship are scheduled for Sunday, right after the last race the medal ceremony will take place.