Spain Retain Optimist Team Racing European Champions Title

Spain successfully defending their Optimist Team Racing European Champion title after fluctuating fortunes on Lake Ledro, Italy.

The fifth edition provided more racing than ever for the 16 national teams. Good winds and expert race management achieved a total of 213 matches in four days for the enthusiastic young sailors.

Spain finally retained their title but only after fluctuating fortunes. The first round robin of all 16 teams saw Russia as the undefeated leaders followed by Turkey, Italy and Spain. Two round robins of 8 teams with 1.5 points per win added to the first round scores led to a change of leader with Turkey as top seed.

In the resulting semi-finals Russia regained the initiative to beat the Turks 2-0 while 2011 champions Spain defeated Italy. In an exciting final Russia won the first of the three races but Spain came through to win the event. Italy took bronze. However even the lower ranked teams were here to sail and pools of four enabled them to continue to do so.

Spanish team: Luis Cabrera, Manuela Huidobro, Antonio Lopez, Alfonso Fernandez, Maria Bover, Francisco C. Igual.

Final Results
1. Spain
2. Russia 
3. Italy 
4. Turkey
5. Netherlands
6. Israel
7. Slovenia
8. Poland 
9. Sweden
10. Switzerland
11. France
12. Belgium
13. Croatia
14. Great Britain
15. Norway
16. Ireland

At the closing ceremony Alen Kustic IRO representing IODA expressed thanks to the AVLL, commodore Paola Mora, race officer Fabio Barrasso, chief umpire Chris Atkins and everyone involved in the superb organization of this great event. He confirmed the decision of the IODA AGM that the beautiful pre-Alpine Valle di Ledro would continue to host the championship in 2013 and 2014.