Publicité:
From 11 to 16 June, the magnificent setting of Lake Garda in northern Italy played host to the European Windsurfers Championships, the European championships for the historic Windsurfer class. Despite the capricious weather, the event put on a fine show, bringing together over 200 competitors from 15 different countries.
Athletes from countries as diverse as South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Japan and Singapore joined their European counterparts for these championships, creating a warm international atmosphere. This competition remains a major event for the windsurfing community, bringing together champions from different generations. Some of these competitors, who have contributed to the history of windsurfing, were thrilled to meet up with their old rivals and racing companions.
The regattas took place in 3 distinct disciplines: long distance, slalom and course race. The European Windsurfer Championships kicked off with the marathon/long distance event, which lasted around 1h30 and saw all 203 competitors take to the water simultaneously. Each in their own category, Alessandro Minei, Silvio Catalano, Cyril Dardashti, Frédéric Gautier and Bruna Ferracane distinguished themselves by winning this demanding event.
Held between the 2nd and 3rd days, the slalom showcases the speed and agility of the competitors. France's Nicolas Mallaret and Frédéric Gautier, Italy's Marco Casagrande and Paco Cottone and Finland's Aleksandra Blinnikka dominated this discipline. The course rac discipline was the most hotly contested of the week. The champions crowned in this category were Nicolas Mallaret (light), Marco Casagrande (medium-light), Cyril Dardashti (medium-heavy), Frédéric Gautier (heavy) and Bruna Ferracane (women).
The overall classification, which takes into account the results of the 3 disciplines, confirmed the supremacy of the same winners as in the race. However, there were changes in the other podium places. Marco Casagrande, Catalano and Torzoni completed an Italian hat-trick in the middleweight-lightweight category. Stephan Van Den Berg, the first Olympic gold medallist in 1984, triumphed in the Legend category.
The European Windsurfer Championships in Torbole not only celebrated competition and sporting excellence, but also rekindled the spirit of community and the pleasure of sailing Windsurfer, a decidedly timeless board.
See the European Windsurfer Championships rankings
Source: Circolo Surf Torbole
Photos: Elena Giolai
