The southerly “Ora” was just a gentle 3-4 knots today on Lake Garda for the IFDS Blind Match Racing World Championships, but at least the direction was consistent. 

Despite the light conditions, Race Officer Carla Malavolta (ITA) managed to complete the first round robin for the B2 classified sailors contesting an IFDS International Championship on the southern course. 

The first match of the day was Alessandro Malapiero and Elisabetta Bardella (ITA) versus Lucy Hodges and Toby Davey (GBR).  These two teams have demonstrated superior boat handling and tactical skills, but it was Hodges/Davey who made the best of the start and had more speed.  They won both their other matches today and have a perfect scorecard.

Pekka Rantanen & Egidio Carntini (FIN) lost their first match with Taule/Avalos (ESP) but came from behind Bersani/Alciati (USA) to win their second.  They met Hodges/Davey in their last match and it seemed they may run the GBR team down but the shortened course in the lightening conditions meant they finished a boat length astern.

On the northern race course where the World Championship for B1 classified sailors is being decided, PRO Carmelo Paroli (ITA) commenced proceedings with a re-sail of yesterdays match between Manuel Ugarte / Federico Albir (ESP) and Anna Gamba / Enrico Sosio (ITA).  The Spanish team had sought redress after being disqualified for outside assistance through the action of an on-board observer.  A re-sail was granted, but Ugarte/Albir were black flagged again after incurring two penalties before the start and failing to exonerate in time.

Rated as favourites for the World Championship, Luigi Bertanza / Sylvia Parente (ITA) won both their matches today, beating Ugarte /Albir (ESP) and Sheen/Manning (GBR).  After their match with Bertanza/Parente, Sheen/Manning  recovered from a poor start in their match with Anna Gamba / Enrico Sosio (ITA) to cover on the first downwind, call room at the leeward and lead the final lap to the line.

After five matches and two races abandoned in the fading breeze, sailing was called to a halt with 9 matches still to sail in the round robin.  

Racing continues at Circolo Vela Gargnano until Saturday June 27. 

ENDS

Photo Captions:
1 – Lucy Hodges (GBR) has a 100% record at Gargnano

2 – Lucy Hodges & Toby Davey (GBR) have shown strong tactics and excellent boat handling on Lake Garda

3 – Pekka Rantanen & Egidio Carantini (FIN) chasing the GBR team in match 13 today

4 - Luigi Bertanza (ITA), winner of the B1 Fleet Racing Worlds in 2009, has won all his matches so far at Gargnano

Media Information

David Staley - IFDS Technical Delegate
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Sabrina Bonzanini - Homerus Associazione
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