The RS 21 World Championship, a very competitive regatta in which more than 50 boats of the one-design class of the moment participated, concluded in Porto Rotondo, Sardinia. Winning the rainbow title, at the end of 10 tight races, was Caipirinha of Garda owner and helmsman Martin Reintjes, with whom Giulio Desiderato, Daniele Cassinari and Francesco Rubagotti were racing .
“I do not deny,” said the owner, “that I am overjoyed with this RS21 World Champion title won after a splendid comeback that culminated on the very last day of racing in an exciting challenge against the Australians. A day, believe me, pure adrenaline. What else to say? That it was a beautiful, difficult World Championship with ten hard-fought races from start to finish. With more than 50 boats at the start any mistake could cost you dearly, proof of that is our 40th place in race five. But it went well thanks also to my whole team: a group of friends even before sailors with proven experience. Now we enjoy this title.”
A real coup that of Caipirinha, after the RS21 Class World Championship had been dominated in the first three days of racing by the Australian Nutcracker team of Robert Davis (51-year-old from Melbourne) author of two partial victories.
But it was not enough perché in the last two races Caipirinha, though winless, accomplished the masterpiece by overtaking the Australian-checked in the regatta-taking the top step of the podium. On the rainbow podium in addition to the Italian team of Caipirinha were the Australians of Nutcracker second and Andrea Battistella’s Diva.
RS 21 World Cup – Nox Oceans Victory Among Under 23s.
It is the Sardinian Nox Oceani team that won the Under23 World Champion title in the RS21 class in Porto Rotondo. An important result, with the young Sardinian athletes, competing with two boats, taking the first and second positions on the podium of the ranking dedicated to them in the RS21 World Championship that ended on Saturday.
Gold medals for Andrea De Matteis, Riccardo Serra, Matteo Paulon, Laura Murineddu and Giorgio Nocella, followed on the second step of the podium by Francesco Columbano, Luca De Matteis, Salvatore Garippa, Vito Recchia and Davide Casula. Among them, a special mention certainly deserves Giorgio Nocella, 11 years old and a promising Optimist helmsman, awarded for being the youngest competing athlete of this world championship.
