After the cancellation of the first day’s racing, the riders were all impatient to finally get out on the water and start the racing in good conditions. Light wind, sun, heat, just what was needed to be able to run the three rounds of competition planned for day two. The two race courses were quickly put in place and races completed one after the other all afternoon thanks to the hard work of the race committee. The wind picked up slightly without ever exceeding 10 – 11 knots. So it was a day for the riders with the best light wind skill set and tactical sense to set the pace and take an early lead, some familiar names rising to the provisional podium places.
U13. Following its 2021 debut, this mixed class has been attracting more and more young sailors to local clubs all over the world. The leading group is currently headed by Polish girl Michelle Urzykowski, with 3 more Polish riders in the next 4 places. Only Germany’s Moritz Schleicher, the reigning European Champion, has managed to separate them, lying second ahead of Jan Serafinski-Melsztynski and Martyna Figura.
U15 Girls. The two Israeli riders Yael Merav Hadash and Naama Palatnik were fastest in the light conditions, dominating the racing and making the fewest mistakes. Spain’s Andrea Sira Martínez, second at the 2022 European Championships, finished the day in 3rd place with a bunch of other contenders on her heels less than 2 points behind.
U15 Boys. It’s the top three from Cagliari once again ! Israel’s Omer Shemesh, 2022 European Champion, is closely followed by Italian rider Pierluigi Caproni (3rd in Cagliari) who has managed to climb to second place, separating the consistent Israeli team riders, with Adam Koussevitzky and Eylon Atlas finishing 3rd and 4th respectively. It’s looking like an exciting few days coming up in what is probably the most unpredictable class in the fleet !
U17 Girls. A similar story here, with the best riders rising to the leading places. 6th in Cagliari, Czech rider Nicol Ricanova finished the day’s racing in top spot. She’s followed by Spain’s Azul Sanchez Vallejo and Italy’s Teresa Medde, the reigning European Champion. A quality trio leading the way, one that will be very difficult to dislodge or separate.
U17 Boys. The Spanish racers are here in big numbers at these World Championships and lead the way in a class that has been dominated by Italian riders in recent years. Arturo Arauz García was lying in 1st place after the day’s action, closely followed by team mate Bruno Bárbara with Japan’s Shuhei Oyamada further back in 3rd. But with few points separating the top placed riders the result is still wide open.
Techno PLUS. We’re witnessing a demonstration of quality and statement of intent by the Japanese girls Shino Kitahara and Chino Motoki who have grabbed the top two places in the Girls section ahead of Italy’s Angelina Medde, the reigning European Champion. The same applies in the Boys contest, with a Japanese 1 – 2 – 3, Takumi Kuragano, Shinnosuke Naito and Taisei Okamoto, dominating a competitive group of chasers including Greek, Italian and Cypriot contenders…
The forecast for the rest of the week is mostly for similar light wind conditions. Only one way to find out….
