Newport (Rhode Island – USA), this name brings to mind the history of sailing and the “America’s Cup”, the most famous sailing trophy in history. In Newport the great challenges of the prestigious regatta from 1930 to 1983 were disputed. Right here after 132 of the unchallenged dominion of the United States of America, the historic holders lost the America’s Cup at the hands of the Australia 2 team that brought the Cup venue to Fremantle (Australia). The two historic seats of the America’s Cup are linked by a thread that also unites the last two World Championships in the 420 class.
2017 Fremantle Australia and 2018 Newport USA.
And it is in Newport that the athletes of the Yacht Club Sanremo have been confronted with the rest of the world for the allocation of the title of World Champion.
4 boats of the Yacht Club Sanremo have succeeded in selecting themselves to represent Italy at the prestigious event. Two U17 female boats (Francesca Ierardi / Giorgia Taddei and Helena Zerykier / Giulia Greganti) and two men’s boats in the top Open category (Tommaso Cilli / Bruno Mantero and Andrea Abbruzzese / Fabio Boldrini).
The team left for New York (USA) on August 2, taking a couple of days of absolute relaxation to dispose of the time zone before diving into the difficult reality of a World Championship. Six uninterrupted days of regatta preceded by 2 days of stature (measurements of boats and equipment) put a strain on the crews both physically and mentally.
The races start on August 10th. The crew Cilli / Mantero immediately scores a nice 2nd place in the first race and a 6th Abbruzzese / Boldrini that bode well. The girls at their first participation in a World Cup are very tense and they defend themselves well with partial goodies.
The following days the weather conditions become very difficult with heavy rain, strong tidal currents and above all very light wind. These are the worst conditions for the athletes Cilli-Mantero and Abbruzzese-Boldrini who instead prefer strong wind conditions and wave in which they dominated the 2017 World Championship in Australia. Despite the difficulties they struggle to the end and both crews enter the final in the Gold fleet. The crew Cilli-Mantero closes with a good 18th place overall (3rd Italian). The result is very significant considering that this crew has decided to race in the Open classification (without age limits) despite being still under 17. Also good is the placement of Abbruzzese-Boldrini ending their World Championship in 32nd position.
A nice surprise comes from the girls of the U17 who at their first participation in a World Championship inanellano of the excellent partial results that allow him to close their world with an excellent 21st position for Francesca Ierardi and Giorgia Taddei followed by a gluing in 22 ° position by Helena Zerykier and Giulia Greganti. 8th and 9th respectively, excellent result.
Special praise should be given to the trainer Fernanda Sesto who with her uncommon skills has managed to create a team of great technical and moral level, able to make them always raise their heads without fear. Thanks Fernanda !!! … ..and to resume his words …… # finoallafine !!!!
These transfers are very complex and demanding from all points of view. An immense thank you is due and goes to all the families, the sponsors of the Sanremo Yacht Club (Sanremo Casino, Hotel Royal, Abate Gioielli) and personal sponsors (Slam – Zaoli Sails – Priano – 2 Spam – Armare – Marina degli Aregai- All Service – GWZ Smile). In addition, this trip has brought out a great strength of the Yacht Club Sanremo that in addition to having worked as a company to support all young athletes has collected many personal donations of individual members who love this sport and spirit of belonging wanted to support these crews, symbol of a clean youth that brings the guide of the Sanremo Yacht Club to the top of the world.