Slovenian match race

Competition under way at ISAF Nations Cup Regional Final

A very hot day, yesterday Thursday, of 35°C on the Slovenian coast provoked some very variable winds in Izola which hosts the ISAF Nations Cup Regional Final for Europe 2 with five women and five men’s (open) crews. In fact, the weather threw to the participants everything it could accept some cool temperatures.

First flight began at noon in a very light sea breeze (5 knots) with three pairs on the water. Silke Hahlbrock led the Polish Maja Czarniawska far from the starting line to be the first over the line and then keep the lead comfortably to the finish. A fine struggle for a better start was seen in the second match between the leader on the Match Race rankings Claire Leroy (FRA) and Giulia Conti, which resulted in an even start but soon Claire showed her superiority. In the third match we saw the first race of the open group with Alvaro Marinho (POR) and Dario Cliba (CRO). Cliba demonstrated more experience and started with half a boat length lead but Marinho showed a better speed and won the race.

The first match of the second flight had to be abandoned when the sea breeze went for a siesta. All participants returned in the Marina to get away from the heat, but went back racing in an hour when the breeze returned. With a more decent breeze (10 to 15 knots) the racing became much more attractive. Marinho showed his best by winning his next two opponents, Matteo Simoncelli (ITA) and Przemyslaw Tarnacki (POL) and finished the day on the top of the scoring with 3 points.

Claire Leroy finished the first day winning both matches.

Friday, the second of four racing days in program started with a decent Bora (NE) promising some nice racing.

Results of the first day:

Women
Claire Leroy (FRA) 2 pts
Silke Hahlbrock (GER) 1
Giulia Conti (ITA) 1
Maja Czarniawska (POL) 1
Petra Kiba-Schmidt (CRO) 0

Men
Alvaro Marinho (POR) 3 pts
Matteo Simoncelli (ITA) 1
Dario Kliba (CRO) 1
Przemyslaw Tarnacki (POL) 0
Jure Orel (SLO) 0