Franck Cammas and his crew on Norauto have won the GC32 Riva Cup after a shifty, rainy final day on Lake Garda. After three sunny and windy days that brought the best of Garda, the rain prevented the Lake’s famous sun-powered wind machine from ever spluttering properly into life.
At least the nine-boat fleet had a chance to enjoy one last blast around the lake in the only race that could take place, in a brief half-hour of 14-15 knot winds. Appropriately enough, the top two places went to the two stand-out teams of the week, Norauto leading Team Tilt across the finish line.
“Team Tilt pushed us hard all regatta,” said Cammas at the prize-giving at the host club, the Fraglia Vela Riva. “We have certainly improved this week and so has all the fleet. Racing with nine boats on the start line was a big thrill. I guess it will be even more exciting with 10 boats for the next event.”
Argo beats Malizia to the Owner-Driver Trophy
Orange Racing was one of the newcomers to the fleet and it was a big learning exercise for Laurent Lenne and his Dutch crew. The battle for the Owner-Driver Trophy came down to a close duel between USA and Monaco, with Jason Carroll steering Argo to victory ahead of Pierre Casiraghi and Malizia – Yacht Club de Monaco. Casiraghi is determined to get the better of his amateur rival at the next event. “Jason is a great sailor, he’s good enough almost to be a professional,” he said. “This week has been the best sailing I’ve ever done, and we can’t wait to get back into the GC32 a month from now.”
The next event takes the GC32 Racing Tour further along the shores of Lake Garda for the GC32 Malcesine Cup, which takes place alongside The Foiling Week from 7 to 10 July.