Nacra 17 Junior World Championships 2019: Ugolini & Giublei defend Title
Report, pics by Martina Orsini & video sent by Nacra 17 Class Assoc Media. nacra17.org
Ugolini/Giublei narrowly defend their Nacra 17 Title against chasing Danes
In what would have seemed to be a runaway defense of their Junior World Championship, the Italian pair of Gianluigi Ugolini and Maria Giublei made life challenging for themselves with a crucial and uncharacteristic racing error, but ultimately were able to defend.
In the first race of the final day, the Italians were over the start line early and therefore disqualified from the race. This is an inexcusable mistake when leading a fleet, but even worse when there were only eight boats on the start line.
However, they rebounded with a win in the second race, and then sailed neck and neck with the Danes through the final race to defend their title.
“We made the week hard on ourselves and had some bad luck. With the over early, being hit and having to get redress in a race, having the mainsheet splice come undone in another race we were leading, and capsizing while in the lead, but we pulled through,” said Gublei.
“This is a great town. The coolest was the town racing. Perfect winds and flat water, but tons of manouvers. We calculated we did 56 tacks and 36 gybes in the three races. Maria had to work so hard, but when we heard the crowd cheering us as we did a full foiling gybe right in front of them, it was such a thrill,” said Ugolini.
Danes Natacha Pedersen and Mathias Borreskov certainly made it a close battle, but it seems like a fair result given that there was a noticeable competitive advantage by the Italians. However finishing in second place is something that the Danes can be very proud of.
In third place were Silas Muhle and Romy Mackenbrock who also claim the U21 prize as the highest finishing team under 21 years of age.
