Under unusually cloudy skies for Sardinia, after three days of sirocco and consequent waves, the French team Groupe Atlantique won the GP2.2 Persico 69F Cup in the waters of Puntaldia, San Teodoro. Seven crews took part in the second weekend of racing, just as they did in the first, competing in a total of 12 races, nine of which were won by the young transalpine team. Until the last day, Groupe Atlantique had dominated, recording only victories. To try and stop them, right at the end, were the Swiss of SDS Swiss Dental Solutions of owner Ulrich Volz, the all-female crew of Helvetia Purple by Normandy Elite Team and the newcomers from the Caribbean, Antigua Rum Runners.
Groupe Atlantique finally took the victory it had been chasing since the first 69F Cup event in Valencia in April. “It is the first year for us in the 69F Cup so we try to participate in as many events as possible, to train more with the other boats, and the second week of GP allows us to correct some mistakes we made in the first week,” said helmsman Clement Cron. “We have changed a lot the way we move on board and now we are more fluid and precise, so the boat is quicker to take off. We really enjoyed the 69F Cup events because we have always had good conditions so far and in both cases we did better the second weekend than the first, showing that we are learning. The fact that we share our experience on board and our feelings during the briefing is good because we can improve faster. Also, we really like the fact that everyone spends time with each other, it makes the overall experience much more fun!”
In second position we find SDS Swiss Dental Solutions, the family crew of Ulrich Volz with his daughters Coco and Anne-Sophie with young Italian talents Federico Colaninno and Ettore Botticini, and in third position the young new-entry Antigua Rum Runners with Vincent Anfi, Filippo Amonti and Rocco Flacone, brother of America’s Cup winner with Oracle Racing and Luna Rossa team member Shannon Falcone.
One of the winners is the location. While Puntaldia is known above all as a holiday destination, every year it proves to be more and more ideal for top-level regattas, thanks also to the perfect organisation ashore and the social events appreciated by all. This is the second consecutive year that the Marina di Puntaldia is hosting a leg, a double leg, of the 69F Cup, and it is hoped to continue the collaboration.
“Hosting the 69F is unique among all the one-design circuits because it focuses on the technicality and rigour of an extreme and innovative discipline,” says Marie-Helen Polo, CEO of the Marina di Puntaldia. “It is a show that lasts two weeks in our waters where one can admire the evolutions of these spectacular boats, skippered with great dedication and skill by promising young foil sailors, perfectly supervised and coordinated by the 69F staff, all made up of experts and competent veterans from the sailing world and beyond.
Thanks to the 69F circuit, this year we took to the race course as protagonists, with our own boat and our own team of promising young sailors in collaboration with Yacht Club di Monfalcone, and they achieved unexpected and surprising results.
Flying on the water was adrenalin-pumping! The lightness with which the boat cleaves the surface of the water, together with the power and speed of the craft, make you realise how much skill, speed, coordination and strength are required to steer it.
Sharing this passion with them on the front line and following their exploits has been exhilarating.
We are ready to welcome them back and relive these emotions next season!”
In the meantime, the 69F Cup 2022 continues with stops in Malcesine (Lake Garda) and Puerto Portals (Mallorca) in September and October respectively.
Photo credits ©Kevin Rio – Persico 69F Cup
