Master Europeans – Final

Bracciano, August 23-25, 2013. Regatta report  by Ivo Gattulli

Three days of snipe-sailing, six races and and a big-party: that’s how Lake Bracciano works.

On the water Two days with light and incredibly shifty breeze defined a clear leadership from Borras-Bats (ESP) and a quite clear chasing-pack with two italian crews: Rochelli-Rochelli (Apprentice World-Master Champions) and Poggi-Vanni (bronze at last Snipe European Championship) close in the trail.

…

 

On friday night an outstanding party with dj-set and overwhelming italian dishes blown away AVB facility and regatta members, cause racing is important but…

The situation changed on sunday morning, before the dawn, when a cold-front swept mid- Italy with thunder-storms and wind-gust all over the region.

Luckily on Lake Bracciano wasn’t so bad and we get out in medium breeze and cloudy sky, but no rain… still.
First race has been stopped after half-course, with the outstanding performance of Johnny The Phenomenon Estrella (ITA) and Randy Stray (NOR), first on the finish: the race has been shortened cause the wind speed (over Master races limits) and some massive pouring-rain coming in.

After a fast stop on the shore-line, and some heavy-rain passed through the Lake, everyone back on the water for the second and final race of the Champ.

Also in this race the wind was close to the limit, probably something more during the last up- wind leg, but it doesn’t prevent the Grand Master Birger Jansen (NOR) and his crew Lise Ghrken (NOR) to arrive first on the finish in a really impressive duel with Jørn Haga (NOR) and Borras (ESP).

Final rank has first over-all Borras-Bats (ESP), second the locals Poggi-Vanni(ITA) and third the semi-locals Michel-Ruggiero(ITA), meanwhile division-ranks as follow:

Apprentice Master division 1- Borras- Bats (esp) 2- Poggi- Vanni (ita) 3- Michel- Ruggiero (ita)
Master Division 1- Edwall-Edwall (swe) 2- Morani- Romani (ita) 3- Andersen- Skolovanga (den)
Gran Master division 1- Jansen- Gehrken (nor) 2- Haga- Steffen (nor)

3- Orn-Orn (swe)

For what I heard everyone was really happy about the hosting Club and the Lake Bracciano, a true important location for italian (and not only italian) snipe racing, already applicant to host the 2014 Snipe Italian Championship indeed.

Quite understandable the complains about the decision of the Race Committee of not-cancel the race for overcame wind-speed limits.

With 35 teams from 8 different country, has been a beautiful challenge, and we really hope to have all those guys racing again on Lake Bracciano asap.

Fair winds.

Final Results