That (newfound) smile that’s good for blue Olympic sailing

In this Olympic quadrennium they have often been out of the spotlight, somewhat overshadowed by the ever-bright star of their national teammates Tita-Banti. Some of it is because Vittorio Bissaro, after four years paired with Silvia Sicouri, formed a new pair in Nacra 17 with Maelle Frascari and physiologically needed time to grow as a crew. But just these days, with the run-up to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics entering the decisive sprint with the World Championship in Auckland (reserved for Nacras and 49ers), their growth seems to have finally found the right balance (talent was never in doubt and performance cues had not been lacking in the past either).

They are leading among the Nacras and seem decidedly at home in the Gulf of Auraki, which between the currents and wind shifts is a far-from-trivial race course in which to test themselves. Their score so far is eye-popping for continuity of performance (along with speed is one of the keys to an event like a World Cup ): 1-4-5-8-2-6-2-1-3-10 (scarto)-10 which translates into a 9-point lead over the second crew, the Australians Whaterhouse-Darmanin, with six races to go. Italy in the Nacra 17 is well qualified for the Olympics, this World Cup and the coming months (with a World Cup leg in the waters of Genoa that promises to be very important) will be decisive in deciding which crew will go to the Olympics, and we imagine that coach Gabriele Bruni will not be sorry to have a few more problems in choosing.

Healthy internal competition for the rest can only do good (we had told you about it HERE with a cross-examination of our “nacristi”). Ruggero Tita and Caterina Banti remain at least seemingly the favored crew, having had significant continuity of performance over the four years, although at this world championship so far they have appeared more tarnished and are currently outside the top 10 (16th). The Italian Nacra national team worked as a team. in the waters of Trapani during the last two winters, looking for those varied conditions to have an all round preparation, even especially with important waves such as those that might be encountered on the Enoshima course in Japan next summer, when going after an Olympic medal.

Mauro Giuffrè

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THE OTHER ITALIANS RACING AT THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Signs of recovery for defending champions Ruggero Tita and Caterina Banti (now 2-12-18), who move up to 16th place and still have five races left to enter the Medal Race and play their cards. On the other hand, an opaque day for Lorenzo Bressani and Cecilia Zorzi (17-17-17 today) who slip to 19th place in the rankings.
IN SILVER
Good day for youngsters Gianluigi Ugolini and Maria Giubilei (now 4-7-10) second in Silver and first Under 23.

Women’s 49er FX (61 boats)
11 trials disputed, scoring considers 1 discard of the worst trial
Olympic champions Martine Grael and Kahena Kunze always in the lead, but the Dutch Annemiek Bekkering and Annette Duetz got a little closer by 11 points, reopening the game a bit; always third were Germany’s Tina Lutz and Susann Beucke. Slipping to 8th place were the two Singaporean girls Lim and Low who were on the podium for a long time. World sensation still open to some evolution, expect a ringing from Kiwis Alex Maloney and Molly Meech, for now none.

THE ITALIANS.
IN GOLD
The standings at the end of the first day of the FX Finals see Carlotta Omari and Matilda Distefano (now 9-23-15) in 20th place, however, making the chase for one of the six places for Tokyo released at this World Cup more uphill. They are currently the eighth nation and the points to make up are almost 30. But there are still five more heats, and conditions on at least Saturday the 7th should remain smooth. In 23rd place are Alexandra Stalder and Silvia Speri (less well today: 21-25-22), in 25th Margherita Porro and Sveva Carraro (today 22-13-24). The run-up to qualification involves them all.
IN SILVER
27th place overall for Francesca Bergamo and Alice Sinno with good Silver heats (10-2-10), and 29th for Maria Ottavia Raggio and Jana Germani, even better (4-8-2).

Men’s 49er (88 boats)
12 trials disputed, scoring considers 1 discard of the worst trial
The close duel between Germans Heil and Ploessel (first) and Kiwis Burling and Tuke (second, 9 points behind) continues at the top, great recovery in third place for Frenchmen Lucas Rual and Emile Amoros. It will be a World Championship decided in an exciting Medal, because the gaps are always minimal, even though there are five races left before the final.

THE ITALIANS.
ALL IN SILVER
31st place for Simone Ferrarese and Valerio Galati (today 16-23-5), 33rd for Jacopo Plazzi and Giacomo Cavalli (today 5-6-16), and 38th for Uberto Crivelli Visconti and Gian Marco Togni (today 21-24-2)., Vittorio and Maelle seem to have achieved that perfect chemistry between men and boat that is taking them to the top.

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