Orc European Sportboat: the tricolor flies in Slovenia

The Orc Sportboat European Championships in Portorož, Slovenia, which for those unaccustomed to such nomenclature is nothing more than the European Mini-Atlantic Championships, has gone into the archives, all entirely contested in light breezes and very technical conditions.

The victory went to Arkanoè Sailing team, the Melges 24 led by Sergio Caramel. The team distinguished by the stylized lily typical of
Montura
, came out on top at the end of seven trials sailed in breezy, at times evanescent conditions and became European Sportboat champions.

“The conditions were definitely not right for us: light winds were in the ropes for boats like the Ultimate 30 Banda Larga, which gave us a hard time throughout the event: keeping up with them was by no means a foregone conclusion, and even today we had our hands full defending the lead – comments a very satisfied Sergio Caramel, who already two years ago, in Chioggia, with a more or less identical team, had gotten the satisfaction of winning the Corinthian title – While we know we can be competitive, we find ourselves enjoying unexpected satisfaction: for us, sailing is primarily a way to grow as people, team up and have fun. If then, as in this case, you happen to win and do it with a crew of friends you can appreciate the success all the way through“.

As anticipated by Sergio Caramel, finishing second in Group A, just one point behind Arkanoé by
Montura
, was Piero Re Fraschini’s Banda Larga, which at the helm engaged none other than former Melges 24 rainbow champion and America’s Cup helmsman Flavio Favini. Third, two points behind the newly crowned European champions, finished Milan Kolacek’s Esse 850 Bohemia Praha.

Graduating as European champions with Sergio Caramel were Filippo Orvieto, Margherita Zanuso, Riccardo Gomiero and Michele Meotto, making their debut with the crew branded
Montura
.

Winning in Group B, however, was Ugo Guarnieri’s Delta 84 Cardonnay, helmed by Alberto Leghissa.