Sailors of the Year Bissaro and Sicouri standout at Garda

The new Sailors of the Year hold true to their title. Vittorio Bissaro and Silvia Sicouri confirm themselves as champions at Garda Trentino Olympic Week for the second year in a row, after a challenging week raced in atypical conditions for the upper Garda region but managed best by Fraglia Vela Malcesine hosting the Nacra 17s.

ALWAYS LEADING, MEDAL VICTORY
The pair joining the Blue Flames took the lead in the standings after the second day of racing where they were able to string together three consecutive firsts, and kept the yellow bib until the entry in the Medal Race when, however, the gap of only two points to the New Zealand Jones-Saunders crew forced them into a “winner takes all” race; ended with the two blue sailors crossing the finish line first and taking home the title.

Silvia recounts the regatta: “We wanted to win this regatta, but the level of the fleet and the short leaderboard kept everyone close until the end. On the penultimate day we could have closed the games, but we found ourselves deciding everything during the Medal, which we faced convinced of our abilities in the match race. In fact, we won the start and were able to choose the favored side of the course, which allowed us to take control of the race.”

For Vittorio, this medal has a special flavor: “We are very happy because we came from two difficult races that challenged some points related to our speed. So before this regatta we made some changes, and things led to results beyond expectations, so we are extremely satisfied. Then personally it’s a special victory because it took place in the home club and to win the medal race today by interpreting the Hour that was coming in at its best was a priceless satisfaction.”

Now Vittorio and Silvia will fly to Rio de Janeiro for a training session on the Olympic race course, then return to Europe for the ISAF Sailing World Cup in Weymouth & Portland June 8-14.