Champagne Sailing Conditions Help Top Contenders
Viana do Castelo, Portugal — The third and fourth days of the ILCA 4 World Championship continued to impress with excellent sailing conditions, showcasing the pinnacle of competitive youth sailing. Yesterday, amazing wind conditions allowed for two fantastic races for each fleet, with a total of 12 starts. At the end of the day, Erik Scheidt from Lithuania and Blanca Ferrando Babe from Spain sat in the top spots.
As the event progressed, today marked a pivotal moment. The qualifiers finished the Qualifying Series, paving the way for an exhilarating finals showdown.
Highlights from Day 3:
- The day kicked off at 11:45 under sunny skies, and D flags were up for the yellow and green fleets.
- A steady breeze from 330º helped the sailors today. It started at a brisk 12 knots and steadily intensified to a thrilling 18 knots during the third race.
- Each fleet delivered a riveting performance, completing three races with precision and skill.
- With the qualifiers wrapped up, attention now turns to the finals, where the fleets will be split into separate categories: Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Emerald for men and Gold and Silver for women.
- Off the water, camaraderie flourished as participants enjoyed a delectable barbecue followed by an evening coach party.
Current Leaderboard (after five races):
- In ILCA 4 – Men, Carlos Charabati of Canada leads the charge, followed closely by Josip Tafra from Croatia and Erik Scheidt representing Lithuania.
- For ILCA 4 – Women, Clara Lorenzi of Italy holds the top position, with Hieke Schraffordt from the Netherlands and Katrina Micallef of Malta in close pursuit.
Looking ahead, anticipation mounts for the upcoming races scheduled for June 28th, promising three more thrilling showdowns starting at 13:00.
With 5 races sailed, including one discard in the results, the final series is set to be a nail-biting, highly competitive event, with our sailors ready to give their all.
Viana do Castelo continues to provide outstanding conditions and a vibrant atmosphere for participants and spectators.
Text by: Prow Media / Edited by ILCA
Photos Videos by: Prow Media
International Laser Class Association (ILCA)
Instagram: @ilca_sailing
Facebook: @intlaserclass