Sardinia Challenge, Day 2: Optimist, led by Lucchesi and Faraoni from Ostia. Wing Foil Italian Cup, first overall Marco Rebeggiani
Sardinia Challenge, Day 2: Optimist, led by Lucchesi and Faraoni from Ostia. Wing Foil Italian Cup, first overall Marco Rebeggiani
Villasimius – Sun and excellent weather and sea conditions characterized the second day of the Sardinia Challenge underway in the Marina of Villasimius with the third stage of the Optimist Italia Kinder Joy of Moving Trophy – Touring Cup and the sixth stage of the Wing Foil Italian Cup, valid for title of the Sardinian Championship.
Over 250 male and female athletes, including Cadets and Juniors of the Optimist Class, battled on the regatta field which was positioned today in the waters in front of the Campus beach. There were six regattas that led to a new provisional ranking that moves towards the final day, tomorrow, Sunday 26 May and which will decide the new small champions of the Optimist Class with the start of the Gold.
In the provisional general ranking of the Juniores (division A), Pietro Lucchesi of LNI Ostia rises from eighth to first position, while Andrea Tramontano of Rycc Savoia of Naples remains firmly in second place; an exchange of positions should be recorded: Alessandro Antonio Meneghini of the Circolo Velico Trasimeno rises from fourth to third place, while the reigning title holder Anna Chiara Merlo of LNI Mandello Del Lario slips from third to fourth place. Closing the top five again today is the Friulian Tommaso Ferluga of the Pietas Julia Nautical Society of Sistiana Mare.
The provisional general classification of the Cadets remains unchanged with Matteo Faraoni (LNI Ostia) who remains ahead of everyone after having been awarded 7 points, followed by Andrea Bonvicini of the Circolo Velico Ravennate with just one point of difference and is confirmed in third position, with 16 points. Giosuè Cannavò from the Tennis and Sailing Club from Messina. Even today the Top 5 closes with Francesca Watt of Fraglia Vela Riva and Pietro Lombardi of Fraglia Vela Malcesine.
Today the regattas were characterized by a more moderate wind, always coming from the east, not exceeding 13 knots, which guaranteed a beautiful technical and tactical spectacle on the regatta field.
Tomorrow, Sunday 26 May, will also decide the winner of the Touring Trophy, a now historic recognition of the Optimist Class, awarded to the first of the Cadets since 2000, which allows access to the GAN Cadets.
At each stage of the Optimist Italia Kinder Joy of Moving Trophy, Kinder offers an Optimist boat which is raffled among the participants. In Villasimius the lucky winner was Andrea Tramontano of the Reale Yacht Club Canottieri Savoia of Naples.
First exciting day for the sixth stage of the Italian Wing Foil Cup, characterized by four regattas held on the splendid natural course between the Campulongu beach, the Fortezza Vecchia and then returning to the start circumnavigating the Island of Santo Stefano. Finally, the athletes were engaged in a spectacular 8-mile long distance along the entire Gulf of Carbonara, once again circumnavigating the Island of Santo Stefano, up to the rocks of Is Piscadeddus.
First overall is Marco Rebeggiani, who managed to recover in the long distance and move ahead of all his opponents. The youngest among the participants are the Orlowsky twins, 14 years old: in the second race, Jan reached second position after an excellent performance.
Sport, entertainment, high technical level, environmental education and protection of the sea thanks to the workshops and moments spent with the experts of the Capo Carbonara Marine Protected Area. “During the activities with the experts from the AMP and Ceas we noticed participation beyond expectations,” explains the director of the AMP Valeria Masala. “The kids were very attentive and you can sense their relationship with the sea. We addressed various topics: from the importance of the presence of posidonia for the good health of the marine ecosystem to the problem of the presence of microplastics both in the sea and in the water we drink. With awareness-raising activities aimed at younger people we also try to reach their families.”
The most represented regions in this first three days of the Sardinia Challenge are Liguria, with 36 participants, followed by Sardinia which has 35 and Lazio with 31 participants. To these are added Trentino, Lombardy, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Veneto, Emilia Romagna, Tuscany, Marche, Umbria, Campania, Calabria and Sicily.
The Sardinia Challenge promotes a series of events linked to the world of sailing which begin in May with the Optimist Italia Kinder Joy of Moving Trophy – Touring Cup and the Italian WingFoil Cup, continuing towards the 1st international stage Swan 28 scheduled at the end of October.
The Kinder Joy of Moving project is an international Social Responsibility project of the Ferrero Group, designed to encourage children’s natural predisposition to move and play in the belief that a positive attitude towards movement and sport can make today’s children adults better tomorrow. The project is active in 33 countries around the world and involves 2.6 million children in the practice of numerous sports.
The organization of the Sardinia Challenge bears the signatures of the Italian Naval League Section of Villasimius, with the collaboration of the Villasimius Yacht Club, the Villasimius Marina, the Italian Sailing Federation, the III Zone FIV, with the fundamental support of the Optimist Italia Class, which worked hard for the national candidacy of Villasimius, and the Ferrero Group with the Kinder Joy Of Moving project.
The event is sponsored by the Municipality of Villasimius and the Marine Protected Area of Capo Carbonara. The event is promoted by the Autonomous Region of Sardinia, Department of Tourism, Crafts and Commerce.
Photo credits: Luigi Corda
