All change please
Buongiorno, it’s been another full-on day of racing here in Torbole, Lake Garda as we move towards the closing stages of the 2021 Techno 293OD World Championships. Just 2 more days to go until we can crown our 2021 Champions, but judging by today’s action and results almost all the podium positions could be won or lost in what promises to be an absorbing end to what has already been a fantastic advert for everything good about windsurfing and young people. Our futures may yet be safe in their hands!
The day dawned with a thumping wind blowing across the lake, even stronger than the previous day, so it was a no-brainer for the race committee to send the U17 big boys straight out to enjoy the fast conditions. And they didn’t disappoint. Strong wind always shows a rider’s strengths, and Britain’s Boris Shaw wasted no time in muscling his way to top of the rankings, winning all 3 races to take a grip on top spot, ahead of overnight leader, Italy’s Federico Alan Pilloni and his team mate Alessandro Graciotti, returning to the top 3. A great day too for Czech rider David Drda, evidently a strong wind fan, his three 2nd places moving him up to 12th overall, and an outside chance of making the podium.
Meanwhile, the U17 Girls were also out in the big wind, and delivered a great day’s action, exciting racing and plenty of movement on the leader board. Czech rider Kristyna Chalupnikova still leads, but she’s now just 1 point ahead of her teammate, Nela Sadilkova, who has the momentum. Spain’s Barbara Winau Ordinas is back on the podium in 3rd, while Day 1 leader, Russia’s Polina Ovchinnikova has dropped to 5th.
The U15 Girls went out later, and after 3 more rounds, in a dropping wind, it was “as-you-were” for the podium positions, Maria Rudowicz (Poland), Anna Polettini (Italy) and Azul Sanchez Vallejo (Spain) the current 1-2-3. On the contrary, huge upheavals in the U15 Boys contest. Leader, Israel’s Itmar Levi is looking good for a start-to-finish victory, but behind him Russia’s Dmitrii Nesterenko has powered into 2nd place, ahead of the fast moving Italian Rocco Makana Sotomayor. But don’t rule out Poland’s Jakob Guzlecki or Turkey’s Artun Senol, both looking strong as we approach the finish line.
A busy day for the U13s, taking advantage of the afternoon’s lighter winds to cram in 4 more rounds. Italy’s home boys, Mathias Bortolotti and Perluigi Caproni have consolidated their 1-2 placings, but behind them, Germany’s Moritz Schleicher is now holding 3rd spot, with the top placed girl, Italy’s Medea Maria Falcioni moving up close behind in 4th.
There is everything to play for in the final 2 days of competition. So much depends on the conditions. Some like it strong, some like it light. Torbole has given us both so far. As they say, today is another day !