The enchanting scenario of Puntaldia, Sardinia, witnessed an exhilarating showcase of sailing excellence during the first ever Eurosaf 69F European Championship. Over three magnificent days, this Italian coastal gem emerged as a sailing paradise, hosting a championship that not only celebrated the sport but also crowned its very first European Champions.
The event unfolded in splendid fashion with a warm opening party, and it went on challenging sailors with a diverse array of weather conditions. From the tempestuous Mistral to the southern breeze, competitors had to find their way through the elements. At the heart of this thrilling competition was the 69F, a unique one-design, foiling monohull for crews that has carved a special niche in the world of sailing. Known for its agility and exhilarating speed, the 69F boat provided the perfect mean for the sailors to display their skill and expertise.
The final day of this gripping championship dawned with a relatively serene North-Westerly breeze. However, it concluded with a crescendo of power, as a commanding Northerly wind swept in, accompanied by chops, providing an exhilarating climax to this historic event.
Fin1Racing clinched the coveted title of European Champions after 16 intense races. The stellar trio comprising Allan Norregaard, Janne Jarvinen, and Iago Lopez delivered a performance that left an indelible mark on the event's history. Their journey to the pinnacle of the podium embodied the essence of sportsmanship, dedication, and hard work.
"It was hard to emerge as the best of the fleet with almost six races per day with very different conditions, we appreciated the decision of the Committee to cancel two races on the windiest day, with puffs of 25 knots. It was really tight until the end, we had a big nice fight with Katana, Antigua Rum Runners and Groupe Atlantic, it was good, we struggled at times with the wind, but we are super happy, a great end of the season, see you in Barcelona!", commented Iago Lopez.
Groupe Atlantic, secured the silver medal with a great display of sailing finesse. The bronze medal found a well-deserved home with Katana Sailing, all three tied on points until the morning of the last day.
The first Eurosaf 69F European Championship, beyond being remembered as a historic moment for the 69F Class, is grateful to have been hosted by Marina di Puntaldia, appreciated for their exceptional hospitality and support throughout the championship. Puntaldia's picturesque backdrop and ideal sailing conditions played an invaluable role in making the event a success.
The championship also marked the conclusion of the 2023 Algebris 69F Cup, where Katana Sailing, with Alex De Weck, Ivan Aranguren and Jann Schupbach, emerged as the overall champions. Their consistent excellence throughout the circuit underscored their place among the elite in the sport.
As this championship draws to a close, the anticipation for the next sailing challenge intensifies, with Barcelona, home of the 37th America's Cup, beckoning on the horizon with the last two events of 2023, Act 3 of the much appreciated Youth Foiling Gold Cup (October 23rd – 29th) and the highly anticipated YFGC Grand Final (November 2nd – 5th), an invitational regatta for the best two teams of each of the four events raced this past year.