505 Euro Cup at Fraglia Vela Riva, Lake Garda, Italy - Overall

Fraglia Vela Malcesine, located on the northeastern side of Lake Garda © Zerogradinord

Day three at the 505 Euro Cup on Lake Garda and again overcast skies and the threat of rain in the forecast did not make for high expectations for the 43 boats from 10 countries. However, as he had all event, the PRO knows the weather and had selected 11am as the start time for race six of the series. Once again the wind was coming from the North, but it was very streaky with big shifts and holes for the unwary or unlucky...

Once again the start was a very busy place to be and a left shift on the gun had all the fleet tacking to port and initially the boats on the left looked good. However in the conditions we had there was no time to celebrate as the wind would fade and favour the other side.

By the top the right was winning and the left was moving very slowly. This lead to a big decision, straight spinnaker set into less breeze or try to gybe and navigate the traffic. Those that figured it out did well and the Swiss team of Caroline and Philippe Jacot did and extended to win from another of the fleets impressive female skippers, AJ Conrads and Jon Bell of the USA. Rounding out an International flavour in third were the Canadians, Bob Tennat and Steve Bourdow.

Race seven and the wind was finally coming from the South and freshening, the fleet got away in the best conditions of the week and revealed in good breeze 505 sailing. Mike Sims and Carl Gibbon of the UK got the better of American's Mike Holt and Rob Woelfel on the first downwind to take the win, Mike and Rob 2nd and German team Micki Daisenberger and Johannes Tellen third.

Going into the last race it was a tight affair at the top and really anyone of six teams had a shot, but Brits Paul Brotherton and James Fawcett had a narrow advantage over Mike and Carl, with the rest needing some help...

So, to the last race, still southerly, but down a bit in strength and shifting around a fair bit. This time AJ and Jon made no mistakes to take a win that their speed had been suggesting all week, second were Roger Gilbert and Ian Mitchell of the UK, with Howie Hamlin and Peter Alarie of the US taking third.

Importantly for the overall standings, Paul and James rounded out the regatta with a fifth to Mike and Carl's ninth to give them the regatta overall. Mike and Carl just held off Mike and Rob, who similarly had just a point on AJ and Jon. Rounding out the top five was Ted Conrads and Brian Haines.

With just six weeks to go to the Worlds was this an indication of who is fast? Winners of round 1 of the Euro Cup Jan Phillip Hoffman and Felix Brockerhoff were missing so we shall have to see!

Despite a poor forecast and some serious doubts from sailors, Riva delivered and a great time and some high quality racing was had by all. Many thanks to the race team, Fragile Vela Riva and Blue Garden for a great event!

Top Ten Results:

Full results [PDF]