Annalise Murphy (IRL) works hard for her Laser Radial gold ©Roberto Vuilleumier
by Elena Giolai and ISAF media
These were very competitive races in challenging conditions, ideal for those whose aim is to arrive at the Rio 2016 Olympics in the best possible condition. The regatta is the only occasion to see all the Olympics and Paralympic classes racing together in Italy, an event that' Vela Garda Trenten' have organized and involves the foremost sailing clubs in the region in order to provide the best possible support on the water and on shore.
The EUROSAF Champions Sailing Cup now moves now on to Northern Europe, the next races are going to take place in Medemblik (Netherlands), Weymouth (UK) and Kiel (Germany).
Nacra 17
With victory in the bag World #1 crew Vittorio Bissaro and Silvia Sicouri (ITA) took a fifth in the Medal Race to finish the week 20 points clear.
The Italians took a risk at the start and touched the start line buoy and were therefore forced to do a 360 penalty turn which slowed their departure but they fought back to come through in fifth to take gold.
Second and third place went to the French crews of Moana Vaireaux and Manon Audinet and Audrey Ogerau and Matthiue Vandame who sealed bronze with a second in the Medal Race.
Men's 470
Difficult conditions also in the Men's 470 Medal Race made for a spectacular finish. Sime Fantela and Igor Marenic won the Medal Race which meant they secured the Gold medal with a seven point advantage.
Following them were the Germans Ferdinand Gerz and Oliver Symanski who were third in the Medal Race. Third place was maintained by the Italian crew Giulio Desiderato and Andrea Trani (eighth in the medal race) who were in the lead for the first three days but fell behind after being disqualified for a premature start in the final race of the series.
Women's 470
European and World Champion Roberta Caputo, sailing with Alice Sinno (ITA), rose to the forefront even after four years in exile following her exploits of 2010 in the 420.
Returning to the stage in the 470 class she has shown that these previous titles did not arrive by chance. On the most difficult day of the competition, the Italian crew knew how to draw on their reserves of grit and determination to take second in the Medal Race and first place overall even if they were on equal points with Polish sailors Agnieszka Skrzypulec and Natalia Wojcik. There was victory In the Medal Race for the Russians Alisa Kirilynk and Liudmila Dmitrieva who took bronze.
Laser Standard
Robert Schiedt sealed Laser gold in the Medal Race. After coming back from third place on the first upwind leg he showed his class by moving into first position and winning the Medal Race. Taking silver, 21 points behind, was the Frenchman Jean Baptiste Bernaz with Nick Thompson (GBR) taking bronze.
Laser Radial
Victory was already in the bag for Ireland's Annalise Murphy who, in the Medal Race, left the other podium places to be disputed by her main rivals. Denmark's Anne Marie Rindom took silver after a first place in the Medal Race, and Australia's Ashley Stoddart got Bronze with a second place in the last race.
49er and 49erFX
There was no racing on the final day for the 49er and 49erFX fleets due to strong winds.
France's Julien D'ortoli and Noe Delpech took gold in the 49er.
Ahead of the final day the 49erFX saw a change in the classification after a decision by the Jury in the evening of the penultimate day. The request for redress by the Brazilian team of Martine Grael and Kahena Kunze was upheld. The Brazilians were thus able to overtake the New Zealanders, current world champions Alex Maloney and Molly Meech, and the Germans, Leonie Meyer and Elena Stoffers, who took silver and bronze.
RS:X
Gold in the Men's RS:X went to Croatia's Luka Mratovic with Italy's Mattia Camboni taking second and Thailand's Ek Boonsawad in third.
There was no final day racing for the Women's RS:X with the podium finishing with Flavia Tartaglini (ITA) in first, Yuki Sunaga (JPN) in second and Veronica Fanciulli (ITA) in third.
