S.R.: XmasRegatta: Day 1 - Chilly Start after Xmas

First time published: 2018Dec28

Main Galleries Folder 2018: http://bit.ly/2GG8xqA

Sunrise on the Stars copyright © photo Alexander Panzeri
Sunrise on the Stars
copyright © photo Alexander Panzeri

Winter arrived, Christmas gone, Hobart started and already finished (too fast…) New year is coming so it’s time for the 62nd Christmas Regatta in Nice for the Star Class (5th for who is writing and shooting).

Unluckily, for many reasons, the number of boats is very low this year, only 27 at start.
In any case we are full of great sailors, starting from the last year winner Xavier Rohart (FRA-8237) bronze medal at the 2004 Olympics and twice world champion, and Roberto Benamati (ITA-7488) ex Italian champion and 2 years ago winner.

Christian Nehammer copyright © photo Alexander Panzeri
Christian Nehammer
copyright © photo Alexander Panzeri
Sandro Lacan copyright © photo Alexander Panzeri
Sandro Lacan
copyright © photo Alexander Panzeri
“New entries” we have the olympic sailor Christian Nehammer (AUT-8485); 505, dragon and FD Classes champion Jorgen Schönherr (DEN-8532); and Sandro Lacan the French talent of the Youth America's Cup french team and 3rd at the last French Tour Voile.

Good Morning Alice Chiappori copyright © photo Alexander Panzeri
Good Morning Alice Chiappori
copyright © photo Alexander Panzeri
We have also a special one: the young local ex French champion of Optimist class (and many good performances in others classes) Alice Chiappori, that back from the university, has jumped on a boat, this time to race, as crew, instead to support the organization or for practice.
So in Italian we say “Pochi ma buoni” (n.d.t.: few but good).


Roberto Benamati and Alberto Ambrosini (ITA-7488) copyright © photo Alexander Panzeri
Roberto Benamati and Alberto Ambrosini (ITA-7488)
copyright © photo Alexander Panzeri
Weather is fine as you expect in this season here, 5[°C] early in the morning up to 15[°C] when the sun finally rise! The race has started at 07:45UTC with light northerly breeze, small gently waves. First procedure canceled, repeated, good start. The fleet has covered all the bay to reach the first mark, on the second one the battle was clear: all the bigs are on podium position, with Benamati dominant on the finish line. A small crash during the first downwind leg, without damage and injures in the middle of the group.
Starting line copyright © photo Alexander Panzeri
Starting line
copyright © photo Alexander Panzeri
Second race: the committee has been obliged to change position, the wind has started to disappear, but the Start has been good and the fleet is mostly on the pin.
But the race has been shaken by an unexpected classic sail boat, which has crossed all the field just in front to all fleet (opsss).
Invader copyright © photo Alexander Panzeri
Invader
copyright © photo Alexander Panzeri


Benamati has reached and passed the left lay-line and decide to tack, but the French Lacan is just behind and has been obliged to tack and so has called “protest”.
Benamati and Lacan are fighting on the layline copyright © photo Alexander Panzeri
Benamati and Lacan are fighting on the layline
copyright © photo Alexander Panzeri

The field has become a tactical trap to find the right breeze, some try to go far east and falling in a big patch with nearly no wind; who has kept the west-centre zone (the best VMG was with left-tack) of the field has been able to “finish” the race. However the race has been controlled again by the Italian and followed by the others Greats.

BBQ after race copyright © photo Alexander Panzeri
BBQ after race
copyright © photo Alexander Panzeri

Another thing has also dominated the race: the change of wind, so the Race Committee has changed the course.
Race Board copyright © photo Alexander Panzeri
Race Board
copyright © photo Alexander Panzeri
This has generated some missed-understanding in the racers and the R.C. has been obliged to protest 12 boats and finally disqualified them. The only “happy” of this is Benamati, who has been found guilty (ITA-7488: 29=1;1->DSQ=28) and he’s still able to fight for the win! Just needs at least 2 races and others 2 first places.
Tomorrow forecast are not better partly cloudy, but if today was a “cold” start, the next days will be on fire; Fingers crossed …e “FUOCO ALLE POLVERI"

Results tables:  http://bit.ly/2rUIEsS
General, Stage 1: 2 races
FRA-8237 Rohart Xavier + Pulfer (4=2;2)
DEN-8532 Schönherr Jürgen + Gravid (5=4;1)
FRA-7778 Lacan Sandro + Giorgi (12=8;4)

Main Website Event: https://www.nicechristmasregatta.com
Main Galleries Folder 2018: http://bit.ly/2GG8xqA

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