Franco Solerio on L’Elagain snatches the final victory from Calvi Network at the J70 Eurocup.
As expected the final day of the J70 Eurocup at Fraglia Vela Riva was a duel to the finish for the first two leaders in the temporary standings, Calvi Network (with Carlo Alberini at the helm) and L’Elegain with Franco Solerio. The fairly light wind this morning gave different conditions from the previous days where the afternoon winds from the south blew in at 14 knots. Calvi Network, who took over the lead from L’Elegain on the second day, did not secure his leadership as there were still three regattas to go and an unfortunate eighth placing. All this made a difference as far as Solerio’s boat was concerned who showed consistent form with firsts, seconds and a third. The first two races this morning were balanced with Calvi Network winning the first and L’Elegain the second. It was all down to the third race as tactician Cassinari (L’Elegain), well aware of the hypothetical advantage he had over his opponent, skilfully played it safe to gain position on Alberini. In fact L’Elegain could have afforded to come in thirteenth place and to have it discarded had he not come in eighth in the first race. As a result he saw his chance of winning go up in smoke despite the series of first partials on the first couple of days. Team Betsafe with Sebastian Ripard of Malta held on to take third place while Notaro Team suffered another disqualification for a false start after a third and sixteenth partial which dropped them into seventh place overall, far from the podium which seemed to be within their grasp during the first days. A great comeback for Uji Uji with Alessio Marinelli and Federica Salvà ( who are on course for Rio 2016 on Nacra), fourth overall with a good win in the last race. Even with 8 nations taking part, the Italian fleet showed itself to be increasingly more competitive with well-known tacticians like Francesco De Angelis on B2 who came in second in the last race after struggling at the beginning of the event.