Federico 'Freddy' Pilloni, an athlete participating in the Young Azzurra programme by YCCS, has won the iQFOil European Youth Championship which ended today in Torbole, on the Trentino-side shores of Lake Garda. The event, organized by the Circolo Surf Torbole, kicked off on July 2 and saw 422 participants from 36 countries, a never-before recorded number.  

There were six days of racing in which Freddy faced a highly competitive fleet. In the qualifying races he recorded seven consecutive victories which guaranteed him access to the Gold Fleet as leader of the provisional classification. He stayed in the top positions right up to the Medal Race. Pilloni entered into the final thanks to his first place finish in the semi-finals. He won the final with a good margin on the Australian Harry Joyner with whom he had been sparring with fair play and sportsmanship throughout the European Championship.   

The Australian won direct access to the final by virtue of his first place standing in the provisional scoreboard of the Medal Series obtained with his win in the Marathon Race, where the score is counted double. Federico Pilloni showed strong nerves and great competitive maturity in facing Joyner off in the final round where "the winner takes all". 

I am very excited, I want to thank all those who have supported me during this journey, first of all my family and my people at home, then the Italian Sailing Federation, the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda and Young Azzurra. It's been a very difficult, hard-fought but incredible week and this victory is the best way to end it. I congratulate Harry Joyner with whom it was a continuous head-to-head, along with Igor Lewinski and Jacopo Gavioli; they have been fantastic opponents during these days. Now it's time to celebrate!" said Federico Pilloni. 

The Yacht Club Costa Smeralda congratulates its athlete Freddy, participant in the Young Azzurra programme.