MONACO EUROPA CUP – LASER: victory of the Italian Marco Gallo

Monaco, 4^th December 2016. A stiff easterly blowing up to 20 knots greeted the 230 sailors from 11 nationalities divided into five categories on the third and last day of the Monaco Europa Cup, more than fulfilling everyone’s expectations.

The Laser Standard category opened the ball with three back-to-back races. Despite a line that favoured the pin end, no-one attempted to start on port. And once again it was the Italian Marco Gallo, the big favourite with two run-ups to the Olympics under his belt (2012 and 2016) who dominated from start to finish followed by his compatriot Nicolo Villa and then the Russian Maxim Nikolaev.

Youthful enthusiasm

The Laser 4.7 Boys, the youngest at the event, proved a little too over-enthusiastic resulting in several general recalls that sorted out the rankings from the start, as many ended up being black-flagged and disqualified. Francesco Viel won the event ahead of Alessandro Fornasari, followed by Simone Scarpetta. In the same category for the Girls, Federica Cattarozzi topped the leader board in the final overall ranking.

Girls on top

In the Laser Radial, where girls and boys were sailing together, the girls were on a par with the boys in the first two races despite the tough conditions. It was an all-Italian finale for the boys with Guido Gallinaro snatching victory from under the noses of Paolo Giargia and Jacopo Scornaienghi. In the Girls, the Swiss Maud Jayet beat Carolina Albano and Valentina Balbi who put up a great fight, showing impressive mastery of tactics and techniques.

For the Monegasques, there was satisfaction as two of the youngsters from the YCM’s Sports Section made it into the Top 10, with Jérémy Moutout clinching 8^th and Nicolas Rolaz 10^th. It was an encouraging result for Jérémy who flies out on Saturday to Auckland in New Zealand for the Youth Sailing World Championship, on from 14^th to 20^th December.

A fine weekend for racing, but also families and reunions for people like Thierry Peyre, who was here 17 years ago for the last winter Laser regatta organised in Monaco. The former YCM sailor was competing this weekend as a senior, while his children Manon and Théo were making their debut in the Laser 4.7. Proof that the Laser continues to attract and train generations of youngsters.

Provisional final rankings

Laser Standard:

1^st Marco Gallo – ITA – 6 points

2^nd Nicolo Villa – ITA – 9 points

3^rd Maxim Nikolaev – RUS – 14 points

Laser Radial Boys:

1^st Guido Gallinaro – ITA – 5 points

2^nd Paolo Giargia – ITA – 6 points

3^rd Jacopo Scornaienghi – ITA – 14 points

Laser Radial Girls:

1^st Maud Jayet – SUI – 5 points

2^nd Carolina Albano – ITA – 6 points

3^rd Valentina Balbi – ITA – 6 points

Laser 4.7 Boys:

1^st Francesco Viel – ITA – 8 points

2^nd Alessandro Fornasari – ITA – 10 points

3^rd Simone Scarpetta – ITA – 19 points

Laser 4.7 Girls:

1^st Federica Cattarozzi – ITA– 4 points

2^nd Elisa Navoni – ITA – 7 points

3^rd Alice Cortesi – ITA – 9 points

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