World O'pen Bic Cup, 2013 at Riva del Garda: DAY 2

Today was the second and pen-ultimate day of the O'pen Bic World Championships at Riva del Garda. This event saw the implementation, for the first time in this juvenile class, a slalom course as used windsurfing, which at first  seems more spectacular but is actually less tactical as there is little opportunity to recuperate after the first buoy leaving the competitors to rely more on speed rather than skill. All the boats sailed the same course all down-wind on a loose reach all the way to the finish line. Fraglia Vela Riva was, as always, on hand with their staff coordinated by Fausto Maroni to satisfy the needs and requests of the International class who were keen to try out this new format. 

The weather conditions were once again excellent with a typical summer's day on Upper Lake Garda with sun, southerly winds of 12 knots increasing to 16-18 for the second and third races.  Italy is one of the nations with the most athletes holding the top positions. With Australian and defending champion, KirstyWadley in the lead, local boy Andrea Spagnolli of host club Fraglia Vela Riva remains in a solid second place with Journo Ludovico (CV Villaggio Tognazzi), moving up into third place 10 points behind. In the under 16 category Federico Zampiccoli of Circolo Vela Arco, ( Arco Sailing Club), remains in the lead followed closely behind by Guido Gallinaro, “usually seen on the Optimist but is taking this opportunity, as are many athletes from Fraglia Vela Riva, to race on the O'pen Bic.”

“The southerly winds on Upper Garda have come through once again- said Mauro Stanga, President of the host club Fraglia Vela Riva – with wonderful races, high-performing boats and great juvenile sailing together with the spirit and characteristics of the O'pen Bic World Championships. The event ends tomorrow with the last race scheduled for 13.00 followed by the awards ceremony in the late afternoon.”

Under 13's

Two races were held today for the younger group and after 5 races total, the worst  of which was discarded, the Australian Wadley remains in the lead pulling off two firsts in both of today's races. Andrea Spagnolli, (Fraglia Vela Riva), stays in second place with a 2-4 putting in a great performance after training on this type of boat for only 15 days. Journo Ludovico climbs to third place after a seventh and a second in today's races.

Under 16's

Three races were completed today in this category with a heated battle going on for the medals between Italians Zampiccoli (CV Arco) who has a 4 point lead over Gallinaro (Fraglia Vela Riva). Both had a less than spectacular third race (16^th and 15^th respectively). In the first two races Zampiccoli notched up a good first and third compared with Gallinaro who took a second and fifth. Lying in third place, 13 points behind, is Kiuchi of Japan. Paula Igual Garcia of Spain is the first of the girls in 4^th place overall while another Italian Alberto Tezza (Fraglia Vela Riva), is fifth only 6 points behind Kiuchi of Japan. He still has a good shot at winning a medal.