F18 Italy, Regatta @Punta Ala: Bianchini-Bonvicini 1st

Photo: Serena Scary / Formula18.it — Lorenzo Bianchini has been racing with Mateo Ferraglia with plenty of success in Italy racing the Edge F18 built by Brett Burvill / Windrush Yachts in Australia.

Lorenzo is also a sailing coach for youths at Garda. Two weeks ago he went to race at Punta Ala with one of  his students and he sent me a report of their unexpected win.
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Report sent by Lorenzo Bianchini:
“It was really nice sailing with one the kids who I usually coach for the 29er at Garda, I salied with Leonardo Bonvicini who has 16yrs old.
We did 4 trainings in the F18 prior the regatta and then we left for Punta Ala looking for a nice experience for both of us, also for me because it has been my first regatta as helmsman.

But what started as training trip ended with a win, the first day had 9,4 & 1 and we did almost a perfect second day with hard conditions in 20+ knots and sea waves scoring 2-1-2.
As Gianni Fantasia capsized and finished 5th in the fifth race, we mathematically had to finish at least one position behind him in the last one and  that’s how we finished.
Gianni won the last race  and were  second, securing us the first place overall for the regatta.

Leonardo started sailing with me at the age of 10 years old on the open Bic, then he grow up with all the team and we moved into the 29er class. Now we are attending the 29er 2016 Worlds which will be held at Medemblik.

The reason why we decided to take part of this F18 regatta is cause I believe that kids shall sail different type of boats.  He had lots of fun and this in the end is the most important thin.
Fun means results and fun is our goal.

That is the way I focus on coaching, and I think it is a good experience for the youths the chance to race at open events, and not just Youth regattas.
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