Putting the hammer down in Marseille
Marseille was picture perfect for the fourth day of racing at Sailing’s World Cup Series Final as the opening series for the RS:X Windsurfers and Nacra 17 multihull concluded.
Italy’s Ruggero Tita and Caterina Banti sailed a day they will never forget in the Nacra 17 and Pierre Le Coq asserted himself in the Men’s RS:X ahead of Saturday’s Medal Races that will be streamed live on World Sailing’s YouTube Channel.
Thursday’s grey skies and lack of wind was replaced with clear blue skies and a consistent 8-13 knot south westerly breeze that whetted the appetite of the 212 sailors from 34 nation hungry for breeze.
Tita and Banti were outstanding in the Nacra 17, winning all four of the Nacra 17 races on Marseille Bay.
They led from the start in two of their races and only had to overcome a couple of boats in the remaining races as they gave a masterclass in sailing the foiling Nacra 17.
“Training, training and training,” expressed Banti when asked about their secret to sailing the Nacra 17 successfully, “Also, having fun because we are improving our performance every day, we are having fun.
“We learn something new every day, but we have a lot of work to do.”
The Italians share an excellent relationship and are passionate racers, “We trust each other and I will never sail a Nacra without Ruggero,” commented Banti.
“We are good upwind and downwind and our starts are improving. We were incredibly good today.
“This is our best point of the competition so far, we won all four races and we’ve never done that at a World Cup Series before. We are 13 points in the lead and we are feeling confident for tomorrow.”
John Gimson and Anna Burnet (GBR) did their best to keep the Italians in their sight and go into the Medal Race 13-points behind. Vittorio Bissaro and Maelle Frascari (ITA) are two points off the Brits in the final podium position.
Medal Races are scheduled to commence at 12:00 local time on Saturday 9 June with World Cup Series Champions to be crowned in the Nacra 17 and RS:X Windsurfers. The remaining fleets will conclude their opening series ahead of Sunday’s Medal Races.
For all the scores, highlights, photos, and articles, check the event page.
Sailings 2018 World Cup Series will conclude with the Final in Marseille, France from 3-10 June 2018. Following three Rounds in Japan, USA and France, the Final sees the Series Champions crowned in eight fleets. A total of 212 sailors from 34 nations will race in 156 boats in Marseille.
© Pedro Martinez/Sailing Energy/World Sailing
