- Russia, Belgium, Switzerland and Portugal at the head of the provisional table.
- The intense wind allowed only has to contest a test of the qualifying series.
The first day of the qualifying series OptiOrange Valencia has been marked by emotion and strong wind, it has allowed only a test celebrate the participating fleet of 346 international sailors. It is the most international regatta sailing of the Valencian club, organized with the Saint Petersburg Yacht Club, this third edition has a record number of participants.
The start of the qualifying series has been exciting with young athletes nervous and excited about the challenge of measuring the best of their respective countries, in a regatta that has an international cast composed of top qualifiers 30 different nationalities.
The event brings together sailors from all over the world in Valencian waters this week, including from countries such as Canada, Kenya, the United States and Japan. This is the case of Pol Mateu, who comes from the Japanese Enoshima Yacht Club Junior: "Everything has gone round, because the schools have closed and I have been able to come here to the OptiOrange, which is a great regatta. I'm delighted to be here," he says.
At 12 the first test of the qualifying series began, for which the fleet has been divided into four groups: red, yellow, blue and green. The southwest wind, which has begun blowing with an intensity of 16 knots, has been increasing progressively and before 13 hours reached 26 knots, which has forced the committee to postpone the regatta and send the participants to land, Waiting for conditions to go back into the water that have not finally occurred. Once on land, the organization has advanced the animation planned for the afternoon, and athletes have been able to regain strength with paella, orange juice and soft drinks, as well as participate in activities and lively raffles.
453/5000 After the only test held, the first four of the provisional table were the winners of their respective classes: the Russian Kirill Shunenkov of Saint Petersburg Sailing Academy, the Belgian Boris de Wilde, the Swiss Marie Mazuay of the CN Versoix and the Portuguese Julia Cardoso . On the part of the national fleet, the first classified is Mateo Codoñer, from RCN Valencia, which occupies the seventh position thanks to the third place achieved today in his group.
“It has been a great day, with wind and waves, good conditions. It is a good start, although we have a lot of pressure for tomorrow. We don't usually have these conditions in Switzerland, so it's a good practice, ”said the first female classified, Marie Mazuay.
“It has been a great day, with wind and waves, good conditions. It is a good start, although we have a lot of pressure for tomorrow. We don't usually have these conditions in Switzerland, so it's a good practice, ”said the first female classified, Marie Mazuay.
Series will continue tomorrow, Saturday qualifying, which must have a minimum of four events held to give way to the final series, scheduled for Sunday. Parents and accompanying participants also have the opportunity to follow the competition from the boat viewers authorized by the organization.
OptiOrange Valencia appreciates the support of Volvo Vedat Valencia, North Sails, Rooster, ESP26, Ph Oranges, Garmin and Cuack Sailing, sponsors of the race.