They arrived at Marina di Carrara Nautical Club to train for European Championship the 14 Azzurri selected to represent Italy at the regattas that will take place from 1 to 5 July at the Marina di Carrara Nautical Club. The eight boys and six girls, aged 12 to 15, come from sailing clubs across the country and represent the excellence of youth sailing: in fact they were selected for having excelled in numerous competitions throughout the year. Among them also the yellow and blue Mattia Cesare Valentini who will race in home waters. At the Marina di Carrara Nautical Club, where the Azzurri tested the commercial, we collected the athletes’ statements:Cristian CastellanSocietà Triestina Sport del Mare: “I am happy to have qualified for this Championship because I have been training for this since the beginning of the year.”Artur BrighentiAcquafresca Sport Center: “My goal was to go to the World Championship, but I will also give my best to the European Championship.”Giovanni Montesanofrom the Sirena Klub Nautico Triestino: “I am very grateful to be doing this championship because I have worked hard all year to achieve this goal.”Jesper KarlsenFraglia Vela Riva: “I am satisfied to have qualified for the European Championship for the second time and I am ready to give my all to regain the podium lost last year.”Giulio MattaniniCircolo Vela Torbole: “I am happy to represent Italy at the European Championship for the second time. I am satisfied with the work done to be able to qualify.”. Martino PaoneCentro Nautico Bardolino: “I’m happy to have qualified, I hope the Championship will go well.”. Alessandro MenghiniClub Velico Trasimeno: “I am extremely honored to represent the very strong Italian team at the European Championship which will take place in Marina di Carrara”. Mattia ValentiniClub Nautico Marina di Carrara: “I’m happy to have been selected for the European Championship which was the goal of my whole year. I hope to do well.”. Anna MerloItalian Naval League Mandello del Lario: “Honored to represent my nation! I am at this Championship and ready to give my best and use all my skills.”. Sara Anzellotti Lega Navale Italiana Ostia: “I am ready to give my best and implement the things I have trained; I am aware of the challenges that await me and I am ready to face them with determination.”. Bianca Marchesini, Fraglia Vela Malcesine: “I am very happy to participate in my second European Championship and I will strive to give my best every day.” Sofia BommartiniFraglia Vela Malcesine: “I am very satisfied to participate in my third European Championship. I will put into practice all the things I have learned in recent years. I will give my best and will try to always remain positive and motivated.” Irene FainiCentro Nautico Bardolino: “This is my first European Championship: I will work hard as in anything I do. If it goes well, I will be very happy; but if it goes badly, I will still be happy.” Julia Albrizio, Società Triestina della Vela: “I am satisfied to be able to be here and to represent my nation. I will do my best to do the best I can at my first European Championship.” Finally an international event “at home” – he commented Simone Gesi, Coach of the Azzurri – in the Club that hosted us for many years as the Optimist Zonal Centre. I am very honored and happy. The Marina di Carrara Nautical Club will certainly be able to give us great satisfaction and will be up to the task of the event.” An event tenaciously wanted by the Simonelli Presidency who managed to win the assignment of the European Championship by competing with the best clubs of the Old Continent. ” It’s a real honor to be here,” he said Michele Ricci, Coach of the Azzurri – For the first time I am participating in the European Championship as a Coach. I think it will be a splendid adventure.” And there is also satisfaction in the words of Team Leader Marcello Meringolo: “We are very happy that the European Championship is organized in Italy. Carrara has trained many very short sailors and I think it is a very popular regatta field. We will try to give our best.” The Opening Ceremony of the European Sailing Championship will take place on Sunday June 30th at 5.30 pm in Piazza Menconi, Marina di Carrara. The athletes with their delegations will parade with the flags of their country from the Nautical Club to the square. All citizens are invited.
