RUS 76 and RUS 98 win in Torbole’

47 Dragon’s had some fantastic close racing today in Torbole’, a most perfect arena for sailing at the Northern end of Lake Garda, Italy.. With the stunning backdrop of huge, green and black mountains casting both light and dark shadows by the golden sun, the scenery actually takes you’re breath away.

After the usual warm welcome by Gianfranco Tonelli, the President of the Circolo Vela Torbole’, the record breaking 47 Dragons made their way to the racing area for a 1pm start. However, the usual Southerly wind (ORA) which normally builds in strength during the afternoon, did not arrive until 2.30pm.

The fantastic view from the mountains of Torbole’, the Northern end of Lake Garda.

Making full use of his excellent boat-speed RUS 76 helmed by Dmitry Samohkin held off the pack to lead at the first mark of race one. Although GER 10 Vincie Hoesch  and HUN 57 Ferenc Kis-Szolgyemi pushed hard, Dmitry held on to win the two upwind and two downwind legged race.

In race two, it was fellow Russian Dmitry Berezkin helming RUS 98 in his owner’s absence, who won the race after leading from start to finish with just two people on board! You can see the lead Dmitry had in the top photo, which shows his yellow spinnaker just about to gybe and finish on the second run.

Here RUS 98 Dmitry Berezkin leads at the top end of the first beat in race two.

It was  a rewarding day for all sailors who were easily able to spot the large/bright white BMW race mark’s as they are the main sponsor for this exciting event. Tomorrow the fleet have been asked to assemble for an 8.30am start, as it is hoped to complete two races during the morning wind (Peler) which blows from the North usually through the night and early morning. After a traditional Pasta Lunch the fleet will go back out in the afternoon for a third race in the southerly wind.

Well that’s the plan anyway 🙂

Higher, Faster, Longer……….   Stavros. (GER 1102)