Carrara Marina– The Optimist class begins the most important competitive phase of the season: that of the two National Selections which will serve to identify the members of the Italian national sailing teams for the next European and World Championships. Up for grabs are tickets for the European Championship, which will also be held in Marina di Carrara from 29 June to 7 July 2024, and for the World Championship, scheduled for Mar del Plata, Argentina, from 5 to 15 December 2024.
With the interzonal selections of recent months throughout Italy, 140 names of sailors emerged, all Juniores (Division A), born between 2009 and 2013, who will give life to the two events of the National Selections. It starts in Marina di Carrara this week: tonnage checks on 24 and 25 April, and then regattas from Friday 26 to Sunday 28 April, for the organization of the Marina di Carrara Nautical Club.
The choice of the Marina di Carrara regatta course is not random: in fact, the 2024 Optimist European Championship will take place here between the end of June and the beginning of July. The continental event returns to Italy, where it has already taken place four times since 2000, the last of which in 2016 in Crotone. Previously twice in Riva del Garda (2000 and 2008) and once in Lignano Sabbiadoro (2012).
Precisely the fact that the event will take place in Italian waters increases the places available for the Italians: the two National Selection trials will bring 8 helmsmen and 6 helmsmen to the European Championship in Marina di Carrara. For the World Cup, however, the best 5 overall will be selected, without distinction of gender. There are therefore 19 places in total up for grabs to be part of the two “national” youth sailing teams.
After Marina di Carrara it will be Cagliari’s turn, for the second National Selection from 30 May to 2 June. On the regatta field below the Apuan Alps, up to 9 races over three days are scheduled, while in Cagliari there will be four days for 12 races. The maximum number of tests possible to decide the National Selections is 21, the final ranking will take into account the first discard after the fifth test, and the second after the twelfth test.
“Thanks to the Marina di Carrara Nautical Club for the‘commitment he is putting into preparing for this selection and the European Championship. It’s difficult to make predictions, because we have many guys who can hope to qualify. There’s a lot of waiting, there’s no denying it. Also because the European Championship is just over two months away, so once you qualify, it will all be a pleasant chase-” declared Marcello Meringolo, national coach of the class.
“The games become serious from here – commented the President of the Marina di Carrara Nautical Club, Carlandrea Simonelli – where we will be able to glimpse the names who will represent Italy this year at the World Championships and the European Championships: championships that we have the honor to organize and host from 29 June to 5 July.”
“This first selection represents a sort of dress rehearsal – concluded Simonelli – precisely for the European Championships in Marina di Carrara which will be a sumptuous sailing celebration to promote this sport among the new generations.”
