DAY 0
The Techno 293 World Championships 2023 got underway in the best possible
style, with an opening ceremony that took place in the extensive grounds of the
ENVSN (French National Sailing School) and finished with each national team in
turn presenting themselves in front of the podium for a team photo. The ceremony
finished on the beach with a mass group photo of all the competitors and free
drinks and snacks in front of the big cafeteria overlooking the bay of Quiberon, all
under sunny skies. The teams were able to relax and enjoy meeting new people,
making new friends. A highly valued and enduring element of the “Techno Spirit”!
DAY 1
Once all the GPS trackers had been handed out, an absolute must for all fleets
for safety and race-tracking reasons, the race committee sent all the categories
out on the water, where there was a decent but variable 12 – 20 knot wind waiting
for them. No sunny skies, but all the skippers were keen to get into the racing as
quickly as possible! Three rounds of racing took place, one after the other, then
after the break one more for all the fleets on the course nearest to the beach.
The southerly wind, variable in strength AND direction, made it a day of tactical
and opportunistic racing for anyone who could properly “read” the water and
conditions. The kind of day where the most capable racers quickly take charge and
establish their presence in the leading rankings. All the same, at the end of the day
those rankings were tight and well spread between the various competing nations.
In the U13s (42 entrants), Italy’s Alessandro Vigneri was the most consistent with
three 2nd places and one win. He’s in pole position after one day, followed by
Turkey’s Sarp Sarli and a second Italian, Francesco Casano. The highest placed
girl, Turkey’s Parla Kabasakal finished in a creditable 5th place. Don’t forget, this
is the only Techno category where boys and girls compete together.
In U15 Girls (37 entrants), Turkey’s Nehir Çakmak won two of the four races to
find herself in the lead ahead of the Italian Gaia Bonezzi and UK’s Sophie Clark.
But the points are all really tight between the whole top 5.
Meanwhile, the U15 Boys (63 entrants) saw Greek rider Panagiotis Ioannou leave
nothing for the opposition, winning all four races. Double joy for Greece with
Evangelos Giannakopoulos in second place, followed by Belgium’s Julien Omey.
In the U17 Girls (47 entrants), after day 1 Spanish rider Azul Sánchez Vallejo, who
won the first two races, is narrowly leading, just 2 points ahead of Italian Teresa
Medde, followed by Turkey’s Yagmur Güzel. As with the U15 Girls, there is verry
little between the whole top 5 and there will certainly be lots of movement during
the rest of the week!
A similar story in U17 Boys (the “Queen” fleet, 65 entrants). Spain on top again
with Bruno Barbara Tor standing in top spot. But hot on his heels are Greece’s
Minas Koutelas and the Lithuanian Eduards Niedra.
For the over 17s, in Techno Plus Women (24 entrants) the reigning European
Champion from Torbole, Italy’s Angelina Medde, continued her excellent early
season form by establishing a lead ahead Estonia’s Liisbeth Orav and Spain’s
Marion Lextray.
While in the Men’s Techno Plus (45 entrants), another show of Greek strength
with Petros Kontarinis winning three races to lead from compatriot Alexandros
Kokkinakis and Italy’s Marco Guida Di Ronza.
But all the rankings are still very close, boys and girls. We are looking forward to
more closely fought racing as the early leaders try to maintain their form ahead
of the chasers and challengers.
DAY 2
But that won’t be happening on Wednesday. The forecast of blasting winds
from the Atlantic and in the Channel area has proved true. So the committee
took the very sensible decision to cancel the day’s racing.
Which means it’s “see you on the beach” on Thursday morning for the next
don’t-miss World Championships action, with a forecast for more reasonable
conditions, strong winds but clear skies. For today (Wednesday) it’s been a
day for exploring this magnificent natural coastline on foot, and admiring the
huge swell and tide rolling in.
You can keep up to date with all the action, as and when it happens by clicking
on this link to the event website, where you will find all the latest daily results,
photos and videos
